The crisis that threatened to poison the secret conclave of cardinals which elects new popes has been resolved. It looks certain that disgraced Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu – until 2018 number three in the Vatican hierarchy behind only the Secretary of State and the Holy Father himself – has fallen on his sword.
Many in the Vatican and the Catholic Church will have breathed a sigh of relief. Many others will be furious.
The crisis had threatened not only to dominate the general congregations of the cardinals this week but also to have a poisonous effect on the conclave itself
This morning Becciu announced – almost in tears it was said – his dramatic decision to ‘fare un passo indietro’ (take a step back) from his claim to be eligible to participate in the conclave. He made the announcement at today’s general congregation meeting of the cardinals. These preparatory meetings are held daily in the run-up to the conclave behind closed doors and are presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.
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