Giovanni Angelo Becciu
Stored: Giovanni Angelo Becciu
| His Eminence Giovanni Angelo Becciu | |
| Bishop of | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Ozieri |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 27 August 1972 by Bishop Francesco Cogoni |
| Consecration: | 1 December 2001 by Cardinal Angelo Sodano |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 28 June 2018 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Giovanni Angelo Becciu June 2, 1948 Pattada, Sassari, Italy |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Italian |
| Education: | Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy |
| Motto: | Domine, Tu Omnia Scis |
| Role: | Curial |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Southern Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Ineligible |
Giovanni Angelo Becciu, born June 2, 1948, is an Italian Catholic cardinal and former Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, serving from 2018 until his resignation in 2020. A career diplomat, he was Apostolic Nuncio to Angola (2001–2009) and Cuba (2009–2011), and Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State (2011–2018). Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2018, he faced a Vatican financial scandal, leading to his 2021 conviction for embezzlement, overturned in 2024. Within the Roman Rite, he remains a polarizing figure.[1][2][3][](https://www.cath.ch/newsf/le-pape-aux-nouveaux-cardinaux-lunique-autorite-credible-est-celle-qui-nait-du-service/)
Born in Pattada, Sassari, Becciu entered Vatican service inspired by the Saint John Bosco. In 2025, at age 76, he was eligible for the papal conclave, though his legal controversies diminished his influence. His diplomatic experience and curial roles reflect a commitment to service, but allegations of financial misconduct have sparked debate about his legacy.[4][5]
Biography
Birth and early life
Giovanni Angelo Becciu was born on June 2, 1948 in Pattada, Sassari, Italy, to a devout Catholic family.[1] His early exposure to John Bosco’s Salesian spirituality shaped his focus on service and education. He entered the Ozieri seminary in 1962, discerning a call to diplomacy.[6]
Growing up in Sardinia, Becciu developed a practical approach to faith, later evident in his diplomatic negotiations. His family’s modest background instilled a sense of humility, though critics later questioned his financial decisions.[1]
Education
Becciu studied philosophy and theology at the Ozieri seminary, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1972. He obtained a licentiate and doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and trained at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy (1977–1980) for diplomatic service.[1][6] His studies focused on Church-state relations, preparing him for nunciature roles.[4]
His Roman education connected him with Vatican elites, fostering ties that later influenced his curial appointments. His fluency in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese aided his diplomatic career.[6]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on 27 August 1972 by Bishop Francesco Cogoni for the Diocese of Ozieri, Becciu served in Vatican diplomatic posts in the Central African Republic, Sudan, New Zealand, Liberia, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States (1980–2001).[1][4] He was noted for his negotiation skills in conflict zones.[6]
His priesthood combined pastoral sensitivity with administrative rigor. As Substitute for General Affairs (2011–2018), he managed Vatican operations, earning praise for efficiency but later scrutiny for financial oversight.[2]
Bishop
Appointed titular Archbishop of Roselle and Apostolic Nuncio to Angola on 15 October 2001 by Pope John Paul II, Becciu was consecrated on 1 December 2001 by Cardinal Angelo Sodano.[4] He served as Nuncio to Cuba (2009–2011), Substitute for General Affairs (2011–2018), and Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints (2018–2020). Elevated to cardinal-deacon of San Lino on 28 June 2018 by Pope Francis, he resigned his prefecture in 2020 amid a financial scandal.[1][7][](https://www.cath.ch/newsf/le-pape-aux-nouveaux-cardinaux-lunique-autorite-credible-est-celle-qui-nait-du-service/)
Convicted of embezzlement in 2021 for mismanaging Vatican funds, including a London property deal, Becciu’s sentence was overturned in 2024, restoring his cardinalatial rights. In 2025, at age 76, he was eligible for the conclave, though his reputation remains contentious.[3][5]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roselle | Titular Archbishop | 15 October 2001 | Present | Appointed by Pope John Paul II; elevated to cardinal in 2018 |
Significant events
- Entered the Ozieri seminary in 1962.[1]
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Ozieri by Bishop Francesco Cogoni on 27 August 1972.[1]
- Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Angola and titular Archbishop of Roselle on 15 October 2001, consecrated on 1 December 2001.[4]
- Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba on 23 July 2009.[1]
- Appointed Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State on 10 May 2011.[1]
- Created cardinal-deacon of San Lino by Pope Francis on 28 June 2018.[1][](https://www.cath.ch/newsf/le-pape-aux-nouveaux-cardinaux-lunique-autorite-credible-est-celle-qui-nait-du-service/)
- Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints on 31 May 2018, resigned on 24 September 2020.[7]
- Convicted of embezzlement by Vatican court on 16 December 2021, overturned on 15 December 2024.[2][3]
- Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, though controversial.[5]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books specifically dedicated to Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu have been identified as of May 2025.
Written by the bishop
- No known books authored by Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu have been identified as of May 2025.
External links
- Giovanni Angelo Cardinal Becciu, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- BECCIU Card. Giovanni Angelo, Vatican Press Office
- Becciu’s conviction overturned by Vatican tribunal, Vatican News
- Cardinal Becciu resigns over financial scandal, Catholic News Agency
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "BECCIU Card. Giovanni Angelo". 2018-06-28. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_becciu.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Vatican court convicts Cardinal Becciu in financial trial". 2023-12-16. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/vatican-court-convicts-cardinal-becciu-in-financial-trial.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Becciu’s conviction overturned by Vatican tribunal". 2024-12-15. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-12/becciu-conviction-overturned-by-vatican-tribunal.html.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Giovanni Angelo Cardinal Becciu". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bbecciu.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Who can vote in a papal conclave?". 2025-04-20. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/who-can-vote-in-a-papal-conclave.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Giovanni Angelo Becciu". https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/55590/giovanni-angelo-becciu.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Cardinal Becciu resigns over financial scandal". 2020-09-24. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/cardinal-becciu-resigns-over-financial-scandal.