First-ever Cardinal on trial in Vatican court awaits verdict today
Once-Powerful Official, the First-Ever Cardinal to Be Prosecuted in Vatican Criminal Court, Will Learn Fate Today
A once-powerful cardinal and nine other individuals are anxiously awaiting their verdicts in a high-stakes financial trial at the Vatican. This complex case has not only exposed the inner workings of the small city-state but has also put its justice system to the test.
Judge Giuseppe Pignatone, at the start of the hearing, commended the professionalism of both the prosecutors and defense attorneys. He acknowledged that this trial was “certainly unusual” for the Vatican due to its intricacy.
Pignatone emphasized that the tribunal had made every effort, “within the limits… of the legal framework in force,” to ensure that both sides had ample opportunity to present their arguments, particularly the defense.
The Verdict
After the initial hearing, the three-judge panel went into closed consultations. The verdicts will be announced later in the day in the converted courtroom located in the Vatican Museums. Over the past 2 1/2 years, the two sides have fiercely debated the details of a financially disastrous investment in a luxury property in London.
Angelo Becciu, the first-ever cardinal to face prosecution in the Vatican’s criminal court, is accused of embezzlement-related charges in connection with the London deal. If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison. Becciu vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
Unlike most defendants, Becciu has attended nearly all of the 86 hearings. He believes that Pope Francis wanted him to face judgment in court, as the Pope had already forced his resignation and stripped him of his cardinal privileges even before formal charges were filed.
Although Becciu is no longer a cardinal, he remains a priest and a retired bishop.
This trial has raised concerns about the rule of law within the Vatican and the extent of Pope Francis’ power as an absolute monarch. As the supreme authority in legislative, executive, and judicial matters, the Pope’s actions have been criticized for potentially compromising a fair trial.
The defense attorneys have praised Judge Pignatone for his impartiality and acknowledged that they were able to present their arguments thoroughly. However, they lamented the Vatican’s outdated procedural norms, which allowed prosecutors significant leeway in withholding evidence and conducting their investigation with minimal hindrance.
In addition to Becciu, prosecutors have charged nine others with various financial crimes related to the secretariat of the state’s 350 million euro investment in the development of luxury apartments in a former Harrod’s warehouse.
The prosecutors allege that Vatican monsignors and brokers defrauded the Holy See of tens of millions of euros in fees and commissions. Furthermore, they claim that the Holy See was extorted for 15 million euros to relinquish control of the building.
The prosecutors are seeking convictions on nearly 50 different charges, including fraud, embezzlement, money-laundering, corruption, abuse of office, and extortion. They are also seeking prison sentences ranging from three to 13 years and damages exceeding 400 million euros to recover the estimated 200 million euros lost by the Holy See in these ill-fated deals.
Initially seen as a testament to Pope Francis’ commitment to financial reform and his willingness to address alleged financial misconduct within the Vatican, this trial has had unintended consequences. It has exposed vendettas, espionage, and even ransom payments to Islamic militants, tarnishing the reputation of the Holy See.
For instance, the secretariat of state is seeking damages to fund a marketing campaign aimed at repairing the reputational harm it claims to have suffered. Even the Vatican communications department has acknowledged that this trial has been a ”stress test” for the legal system.
A significant aspect of the London case revolves around the transfer of the property from one London broker to another in late 2018. Prosecutors argue that the second broker, Gianluigi Torzi, deceived the Vatican and maneuvered to gain full control of the building. They claim that Torzi only relinquished control when the Vatican paid him 15 million euros.
According to Vatican prosecutors, this amounted to extortion. However, the defense, along with a British judge who rejected Vatican attempts to seize Torzi’s assets, argues that it was a negotiated resolution to a legally binding contract.
The two former managers of the Vatican’s financial watchdog, Rene Bruelhart and Tommaso Di Ruzza, were accused of abusing their positions by not blocking the payment to Torzi and failing to report the incident to Vatican prosecutors.
In their defense, Bruelhart and Di Ruzza implicated Pope Francis himself in the trial. They claimed that the Pope had instructed them to help the secretariat of state regain control of the property from Torzi once it became apparent that the Vatican did not actually own the building.
They cited written testimony from Monsignor Edgar Pena Parra, the Vatican chief of staff, who stated that Vatican lawyers advised against suing Torzi due to the weak case. Instead, the Vatican chose to negotiate a payout with Torzi, considering it the best option in terms of cost, risk, and outcome.
Pena Parra added, ”It also appeared to be purely aligned with the will of the superior,” referring to Pope Francis, who wanted to “turn the page and start over.”
The original London investigation led to two other related cases involving the star defendant, Becciu, who was once considered a potential candidate for the papacy and one of Francis’ top advisers.
Prosecutors accused Becciu of embezzlement for sending 125,000 euros from Vatican funds to a Sardinian charity run by his brother. Becciu argued that the local bishop had requested the money to establish a bakery that would employ at-risk youths and that the funds remained within the diocese’s coffers.
Becciu was also accused of paying a Sardinian woman, Cecilia Marogna, for her intelligence services. Prosecutors traced approximately 575,000 euros in wire transfers from the Vatican to a Slovenian front company owned by Marogna. They alleged that she used the money to purchase luxury items and fund vacations.
Becciu claimed that he believed the funds were intended to pay a British security firm to negotiate the release of Gloria Narvaez, a Colombian nun who had been taken hostage by Islamic militants in Mali in 2017. He astonishingly revealed that Pope Francis had authorized up to 1 million euros for the nun’s liberation, indicating the Vatican’s willingness to make a ransom payment to al-Qaida-linked militants.
Marogna, who is also on trial, has denied any wrongdoing.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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How does the outcome of the trial impact the Vatican’s approach to tackling corruption and financial misconduct in the future?
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Regardless of the verdict, this trial represents a pivotal moment for the Vatican’s justice system and its reputation as a sovereign state. The outcome will have far-reaching implications and may determine the path the Vatican takes in tackling corruption and financial misconduct in the future.
It is worth noting that this trial is not just about the financial crimes committed but also about the transparency and fairness of the Vatican’s legal proceedings. The defense has raised concerns about the Vatican’s procedural norms, which they believe have provided prosecutors with significant advantages, such as the ability to withhold evidence and conduct investigations with minimal hindrance.
These concerns highlight the need for the Vatican to modernize its legal system and align its processes with international standards. It is crucial for the Vatican to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their rank or position, are provided with fair and impartial trials.
Moreover, this trial has brought to light the extent of Pope Francis’ power as the supreme authority within the Vatican. Some critics argue that his involvement in this trial has potentially compromised its fairness, raising questions about the separation of powers and the rule of law within the Vatican’s governance structure.
Ultimately, the verdict of this trial will shape the future of the Vatican and its commitment to combating corruption and financial misconduct. It is an opportunity for the Vatican to demonstrate its dedication to justice and transparency, as well as its willingness to hold even the most powerful individuals accountable for their actions.
Regardless of the outcome, this trial serves as a wake-up call for the Vatican to address these issues head-on and initiate meaningful reforms. It is time for the Vatican to strengthen its legal framework, enhance transparency, and ensure that justice is served without compromise.
As the judgment is announced and the fate of the once-powerful official and the other individuals involved is determined, the world will be watching. The Vatican’s response to this trial will be of great importance, not only in reaffirming its commitment to justice but also in restoring its reputation as a sovereign state guided by the principles of integrity and fairness.
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