A Vatican criminal court sentenced on Saturday a senior Catholic Church official, Cardinal Angelo Becciu, to five and a half years in prison for financial crimes.
Becciu, 75, is a former adviser to Pope Francis and was facing charges of embezzlement, abuse of power, and witness tampering related to a controversial real estate deal in London.
Becciu has consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming his innocence and asserting that he never personally benefited from the transactions. The Italian prelate's lawyer told reporters that he would appeal.