Convicted Italian cardinal says he will not enter conclave to elect new pope

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - An Italian cardinal who was convicted of embezzlement and fraud said on Tuesday he will not take part in the secret conclave to elect the new pope. Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the most senior Catholic Church official ever to stand trial before a Vatican criminal court, said in a statement he would not enter the conclave. Becciu was sentenced to 5-1/2 years in jail by a Vatican court in December 2023.

He denies all wrongdoing and is free pending an appeal. (Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Crispian Balmer).