Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who was convicted of embezzlement and fraud, has decided not to take part in the conclave to choose the next pope. This decision came after he was reportedly shown a message from the late Pope Francis asking him not to participate.

Although Becciu had earlier said he had the right to vote, he changed his mind on April 29. He stated, “I have decided to obey the will of Pope Francis, as I have always done, and not enter the conclave, even though I still believe I am innocent.”

Becciu, 76, was sentenced in December 2023 to five and a half years in jail for his role in a Vatican scandal involving spies and real estate in London. He is appealing the ruling and remains free while the process continues.

Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, had removed Becciu from a top Vatican role in 2020. However, he allowed Becciu to keep his cardinal title and apartment, which left some confusion about his role in the conclave.

This situation reminds some people of the film Conclave, where a secret note from a late pope plays a key role in shaping the future of the Church.

Becciu’s exit could hurt the chances of Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a top Vatican official and possible candidate to become the next pope.

A total of 135 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, but two have stepped aside for health reasons, leaving 133 – the highest number ever.

The new pope will either continue the reforms started by Pope Francis or take the Church back to a more traditional path. Father Donato Ogliari recently told the cardinals that the Church should keep moving forward with dialogue and openness.

Unlike past conclaves in 2005 and 2013, which lasted two days, this one might take longer. Many cardinals don’t know each other and are wearing name tags to help make introductions, according to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni.

However, Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez of El Salvador believes the process will still be quick, possibly just two or three days.