Cardinal Angelo Becciu’s involvement has been a major topic of discussion following Pope Francis’ passing, with uncertainty about his participation in selecting Francis’ successor in the conclave.

Following his downfall in 2020, Becciu initially stated he wouldn’t partake in future conclaves. However, recently, he claimed he was entitled to join his fellow cardinals in the Sistine Chapel on May 7.

The Vatican document regulating a conclave, known by its Latin name Universi Dominici Gregis, lays out the criteria for electors, making clear that cardinals under 80 have the right to elect the pope, except those who have been “canonically deposed or who with the consent of the Roman Pontiff have renounced the cardinalate”. It adds that after a pope has died, “the College of Cardinals cannot readmit or rehabilitate them”.

There has never been any clarity on what exactly Becciu renounced or how: The one-line statement issued by the Vatican press office on September 24, 2020, said merely that Francis had accepted Becciu’s resignation as prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints “and his rights connected to the cardinalate”. There is no indication he has been sanctioned canonically.

Italian daily Domani reported last week that during the initial pre-conclave discussions, Becciu was presented with two letters signed by Francis before he died saying he should not participate in the conclave. Becciu’s reference to Francis’ will in his statement on Tuesday suggests that the letters were the tipping point that convinced him to withdraw from the vote.

After he forced Becciu’s resignation, Francis visited Becciu on occasions and allowed him to participate in the life of the Vatican. But Francis also changed Vatican law to allow the city state’s criminal tribunal to prosecute him.

Questions, meanwhile, have continued to swirl about the integrity of the trial that convicted Becciu and eight others. During the proceedings, the court heard that Francis intervened on several occasions on behalf of the prosecutors and that the prosecution’s prime witness against Becciu was coached and manipulated by outsiders.

The appeal is scheduled to begin in September.