US EditionDefense in Vatican ‘trial of the century’ asks prosecutor to recuse himself for questionable conduct
Defense lawyers argue prosecutor Alessandro Diddi has conflicts of interest revealed in WhatsApp chats, challenging the fairness of the Vatican's 2023 conviction over a $412 million London property deal.
- On September 22, 2025, defense lawyers in the Vatican's appeals trial urged Prosecutor Alessandro Diddi to recuse himself over alleged questionable conduct.
- The call came after thousands of WhatsApp messages and audio recordings surfaced, indicating that Diddi and the head of the Vatican police, Stefano De Santis, may have played a role in influencing testimony, particularly regarding Monsignor Alberto Perlasca’s reversal in August 2020.
- Perlasca, once a suspect, escaped indictment and became a key prosecution witness against Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who was fired by Pope Francis and charged with financial misconduct linked to a 350 million euro London property deal.
- Diddi submitted only eight of 126 exchanged chats as evidence, prompting defense complaints of withheld proof and highlighting internal debates over fair process in the Vatican's absolute monarchy.
- If Diddi declines to step aside, the dispute will be taken up by the Vatican’s highest appellate tribunal, overseen by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, a close associate of Pope Francis, highlighting ongoing tensions within the Church during this high-profile case.
51 Articles
51 Articles
Los Angeles Times
Independent EspañolThe defense lawyers in the “trial of the century” of the Holy See on Monday asked the Vatican prosecutor to recuse himself from the appeal trial, arguing that he was involved in questionable behavior according to hundreds of private WhatsApp messages that have shaken the process.
Defence in Vatican ‘trial of the century’ asks prosecutor to recuse himself for questionable conduct
Defence lawyers in the Holy See’s “trial of the century” asked the Vatican prosecutor to recuse himself from the appeals trial Monday, arguing he was implicated in questionable behavior according to years of private WhatsApp messages that have shaken the proceedings.
Associated Press News
Defense in Vatican 'trial of the century' asks prosecutor to recuse himself for questionable conduct
Defense lawyers in the Holy See’s “trial of the century” have asked the Vatican prosecutor to recuse himself from the appeals trial.
Appeals process in Vatican’s ‘Trial of the Century’ opens today
ROME – Almost two years after the original verdict — 644 days, to be precise — an appeals trial opened on Monday to consider the convictions of Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu and six of the original nine other defendants in the Vatican’s “Trial of the Century.” The trial, which ended in convictions of virtually everyone involved, turned on a failed $400 million real estate deal in London, in which the Vatican’s Secretariat of State purchased a f…
First time sentenced to five years and six months (plus 91 million euros of compensation to be paid in the Vatican coffers) for flawed and scam
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