Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, convicted of financial fraud at the Vatican, announced on Tuesday that he will not take part in the conclave in order to "obey the will of Pope Francis".

Becciu has been taking part in the General Congregations, meetings of cardinals that are held almost daily in a period of Sede Vacante to carry out the day-to-day running of the Vatican, but, according to reports in the international press, he was shown letters signed by Francis indicating that he did not want him in the Conclave.

"With the good of the Church in mind, which I have served and will continue to serve with fidelity and love, as well as contributing to the communion and serenity of the conclave, I have decided to obey, as I have always done, the will of Pope Francis not to enter the conclave, remaining convinced of my innocence," the 76-year-old cardinal said in a statement.

Becciu, born in Sardinia, was very close to the Pope and was made a cardinal by Francis, having assumed high responsibilities in the Roman Curia, particularly in the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and the Secretariat of State.

For financial embezzlement, including the purchase of a luxury property in London with money from an annual collection for charity, Francis' former advisor was sentenced at the end of 2023, in the first instance, to five and a half years in prison by the Holy See's judiciary.

The cardinal appealed against the sentence and is awaiting his appeal. In 2020, he was removed from office, but retained the title of cardinal. After Francis' death last week, the cardinal told the Italian press that he could take part in the Conclave.