Cardinal Becciu claims Pope authorized $1m ransom, talks Cardinal Pell

Cardinal Becciu, on trial for real estate dealings, has comments on nun and Cardinal Pell.

Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who is a defendant in a Vatican trial regarding real estate in London, spoke at length during the hearing of May 5, 2022, about Monsignor Alberto Perlasca, but also about other actors who have appeared repeatedly in this case. In particular, he explained for the first time the nature of his relationship with Cecilia Marogna—also in the dock—before giving his version of the facts concerning Cardinal George Pell. 

Freed from pontifical secrecy, the Sardinian cardinal spoke at length about the case of Cecilia Marogna. This woman, in her 40s, presents herself as an expert in informal diplomacy and moves in an environment close to Italian intelligence. The Vatican justice system is accusing her of embezzlement of a sum of money that was allocated to her by Cardinal Becciu for hostage rescue missions, but which she allegedly used to travel to prestigious hotels and make expensive purchases in luxury stores such as Prada and Louis Vuitton.