March 17, 2026

ROME (AP) – The Vatican appeals tribunal declared a mistrial Tuesday in the Holy See´s big “trial of the century,” a stunning blow to both Pope Francis´ legacy and Vatican prosecutors who had put a cardinal and several other people on trial over alleged financial crimes.

In a 16-page ruling, the appeals court ruled that Francis and Vatican prosecutors both made procedural errors that nullified the original indictment against Cardinal Angelo Becciu and the others and required a new trial. The court set a June 22 as the date for the new trial to begin.

Defense lawyers said such a ruling was enormously significant if not historic, since it amounted to a Vatican court declaring an act of the pope null.

The Vatican appeals tribunal declared a mistrial in the high-profile financial crimes case against Cardinal Angelo Becciu and others, striking a major blow to Pope Francis’ efforts to showcase Vatican transparency and accountability. The 16-page ruling cited procedural errors by both the pope and prosecutors that nullified the original indictment and ordered a new trial starting June 22. Defense attorneys hailed the decision as historic, highlighting the court’s rejection of the prosecution’s handling and affirming their claim that Becciu’s right to a fair defense was violated from the outset, handing a significant setback to the Vatican’s prosecutorial ambitions.

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