A cardinal who was sentenced to five and a half years in prison after being convicted of embezzlement said Tuesday he intends to participate in the next conclave — the election to pick Pope Francis’ successor — even though the Holy See press office has declared him a “non-elector.

Becciu had to resign the rights of his position in 2020 over a fraud conviction, but says he is eligible to vote for the next pope.

A cardinal convicted of financial crimes by the Vatican is claiming he can take part in the forthcoming conclave despite being listed as a “non-elector.”

Bells rang out as the Pope's coffin was carried across St Peter's Square to lie in state ahead of the funeral on Saturday.

Pope Francis’ body will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica to lie in state allowing the Catholic faithful to pay their respects to the Argentine pope

India on Thursday declared that state mourning will be observed on April 26 in honour of the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See.Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday made the declaration through a statement,