The Vatican said Thursday that one of
the Holy See's top officials, Giovanni Angelo Becciu, has
resigned as the head of the department that oversees sainthoods
and will effectively step down as a cardinal.
"Today, Thursday, 24 September, the Holy Father accepted the
resignation from the office of Prefect of the Congregation for
the Causes of Saints and from the rights connected with the
Cardinalate, presented by His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Angelo
Becciu,." a Vatican statement said.
The 72-year-old, the former Substitute of the Secretariat of
State, has been linked to a London property deal involving
Church money that Vatican prosecutors are investigating.
Becciu said in an interview published on Friday that he did
nothing wrong and implied that Pope Francis made him quit.
"I said to the pope 'why are you doing this to me?' In front of
the whole world," Becciu told daily newspaper Domani.
"He said that I allegedly gave money to my brothers. I see no
crimes and I am sure that the truth will come out.
"I didn't steal even one euro. I am not under investigation but
if they send me to trial, I will defend myself".
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