Once-powerful Vatican official Cardinal Angelo Becciu has formally withdrawn from participating in the conclave to elect a new pope.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 Catholic cardinal convicted of embezzlement and fraud has announced he won't take part in the conclave to choose a successor to the late Pope Francis.