Cardinal Angelo Becciu resigned suddenly from his position as head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints on Thursday night, Sept. 24. In a one-sentence press release, the Vatican announced that the cardinal also gave up the “rights connected to the Cardinalate,” including his titular church and participation in conclaves.

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” hosts Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell discuss the accusations of embezzlement and nepotism that Cardinal Becciu said Pope Francis brought against him when asking him to resign.

Gerry and Colleen also discuss U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to the Vatican this week. Mr. Pompeo has been critical of the Vatican’s provisional deal with China, which is up for renewal this year. He intends to urge Vatican officials not to renew the deal, arguing that continued dialogue with China despite the nation’s human rights abuses will weaken the Vatican’s moral standing.

Links from the show:

Powerful Vatican Cardinal Becciu resigns amid financial scandal

Cardinal Becciu denies wrongdoing, says Pope Francis asking for his resignation was ‘surreal’

The Vatican is ready to renew its deal with China. Privately, officials admit they’re walking a tightrope.

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