A senior Catholic cardinal accused of embezzling donations from the faithful said he would fight to prove his innocence and sue his chief accuser as he stood trial at the Vatican. Angelo Becciu, former head of the Vatican’s saint-making department, said he would show evidence against him given to prosecutors by the priest Alberto Perlasca was “completely false”. Looking relaxed, he said he was “tranquil” and remained “obedient” to the Pope. SponsoredBecciu, 73, became the first “prince” of the Catholic Church to face Vatican judges after prosecutors lifted the lid on years of alleged theft, extortion and loss-making investments by unscrupulous brokers on his watch. Prosecutors will use evidence from Perlasca, who was involved in the suspect Vatican investments and allegedly hid losses but

Source: The Times July 27, 2021 18:50 UTC