Pope’s former advisor jailed for five years

A Vatican court has jailed a former adviser to the pope for financial crimes.

Italian cardinal Angelo Becciu was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail.

The 75-year-old was the most senior Vatican official ever to face such charges.

He was once seen as a papal contender himself.

The trial centred on a London property deal which lead to huge losses for the Catholic church.

He strongly denies the charges which include embezzlement and abuse of office.

He was on trial with nine others who have also been accused of witness tampering.

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