A Vatican court has sentenced Italian cardinal Angelo Becciu, a former adviser to Pope Francis, to five-and-a-half years in jail for financial crimes.

Becciu, 75, was the most senior Vatican official ever to face such charges and once seen as a papal contender himself.

The trial centred on a London property deal that ended in huge losses for the Catholic Church.

He strongly denied charges including embezzlement and abuse of office.

Cardinal Becciu's lawyer said his client was innocent and would lodge an appeal.

He was on trial with nine other defendants accused of embezzlement, abuse of office and witness tampering. All were convicted on some counts and found not guilty on others.

cenaman:
Man of God!

Dittodat:
Hollines, also known as Righteousness, and his fellow brainwashed Christian religious fanatical terrorist zombies will avoid this thread like a plague.
They are all fraudsters and criminals using religion as a cover.

Dittodat:
Hollines, also known as Righteousness, and his fellow brainwashed Christian religious fanatical terrorist zombies will avoid this thread like a plague.
They are all fraudsters and criminals using religion as a cover.