The College of Cardinals on Wednesday expressed appreciation of Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu’s decision not to take part in the upcoming conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor.

The former Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State is appealing a 2023 conviction for embezzlement and aggravated fraud over alleged mismanagement of a Church property portfolio, including a luxury flat on London’s Sloan Avenue.

In 2020 was resigned from his position from Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and was stripped of his rights and privileges as a cardinal after the property scandal exploded.

The 76-year-old Sardinian was reportedly pushing to take part in the conclave, which starts on May 7, but changed his mind after Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin showed him two documents signed by Francis saying that he should not.

In a statement released after a General Congregation on Wednesday, the cardinals noted that Becciu, “having at heart the good of the Church and in order to contribute to the communion and serenity of the conclave, has communicated his decision not to participate in it.

The Cardinals added they hoped the “competent juridical bodies may definitively ascertain the facts”.