<h1>Cardinal Convicted of Financial Crimes Steps Back from Papal Conclave Amid Embezzlement Allegations</h1> A senior Vatican cardinal withdrew from the papal conclave after being convicted of financial crimes in 2023. Previously a powerful Vatican official, he was accused of embezzling funds, including sending money to his brother's charity and transferring funds to a woman for alleged intelligence services. Despite maintaining his innocence, he complied with papal instructions not to participate in the conclave, following a controversial trial with questions about its integrity.