Disgraced Cardinal Formally Withdraws From Conclave

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Italian cardinal at the heart of the Vatican’s “trial of the century” announced Tuesday he was withdrawing from participating in the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope. Cardinal Angelo Becciu’s status has dominated discussions in the days after Pope Francis’ death amid questions about whether he would participate in the conclave to elect his successor. After his 2020 downfall, Becciu had said he would not participate in any future conclave. But in recent days he had asserted he had a right to enter the Sistine Chapel with other cardinals on May 7. On Tuesday, the 76-year-old Italian issued a statement through his lawyers that said he had “decided to obey” the will of Pope Francis.