Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the most senior Catholic Church official ever to stand trial before a Vatican criminal court, was convicted on Saturday of embezzlement and sentenced to five and a half years in jail.
The Italian prelate’s lawyer, Fabio Viglione, told reporters in the courtroom that he would appeal, saying his client was innocent. Becciu, who lives in the Vatican, was expected to remain free for the time being.
In all, 10 defendants were accused of crimes including fraud, abuse of office and money laundering.
It took Court President Giuseppe Pignatone 25 minutes to read all the verdicts and sentences.
Becciu, like most of
