Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who was convicted of embezzlement and fraud in 2023, said on Tuesday he will not take part in the secret conclave to elect the new pope.

Once thenumber three of the Holy See, this Sardinian cardinal linked to a major financial scandalfinally renounced attending the conclave. In 2020, he sought €10 million from an Italian newspaper for “loss of opportunity” of one day succeeding Francis.

A cardinal convicted of financial crimes by the Vatican who was demanding he should be able to participate in the upcoming conclave to decide who will replace Pope Francis now says he will not take part in it.