Cardinal and nine others on trial in Vatican over money scandals

Cardinal Angelo Becciu and nine other people are accused of costing the Holy See tens of millions of dollars in donations through bad investments, deals with shady money managers and apparent favours to friends and family (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

A trial is due to begin in Vatican City of 10 defendants, including a once-powerful cardinal, in a case based on a widespread probe into the allegedly criminal management of the Holy See’s portfolio of assets, including donations by countless Catholic worshippers.

Among the defendants is Italian prelate Angelo Becciu, a veteran Vatican diplomat whom Pope Francis raised to the rank of cardinal in 2018.