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Vatican Court of Cassation Rules on Prosecutor Diddi’s Appeals
The Vatican Court of Cassation has issued two significant rulings regarding the ongoing appeal trial into the management of Holy See funds. These decisions effectively limit the role of the lead prosecutor, Alessandro Diddi, and uphold previous rejections of his legal challenges. Vatican prosecutor was seeking to reopen the case against Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu and other defendants.
Key Developments
Abstention Accepted: The Supreme Court acknowledged Alessandro Diddi’s formal declaration of abstention. This follows a "motion to disqualify" filed by defense lawyers who alleged Diddi’s involvement in WhatsApp chats with external parties had compromised his impartiality.
Appeal Rejected: The Court confirmed the "inadmissibility" of Diddi's appeal against a September 2025 decision. Diddi had sought to challenge several acquittals from the original 2024 trial, but the Court of Appeal (and now the Court of Cassation) ruled his request invalid based on procedural and timing issues.
Trial Timeline: The appeals process, which deals with the London building sale and other financial matters, is scheduled to resume on February 3, 2026.
Summary of the Legal Conflict
| Issue | Context | Outcome |
| The Disqualification | Defense lawyers for four defendants argued Diddi lacked "third-party" status due to external communications that allegedly influenced a witness. | Diddi filed for abstention, which the Supreme Court has now formally acknowledged. |
| The Prosecution Appeal | Diddi appealed the first-instance acquittals of several defendants from the December 2024 ruling. | Ruled inadmissible due to flaws in form, substance, and filing delays. |
Why This Matters
These rulings represent a significant procedural setback for the prosecution (Office of the Promoter of Justice). By confirming the inadmissibility of the appeal against previous acquittals, the Supreme Court has narrowed the scope of the current second-level trial. Furthermore, the acknowledgment of Diddi’s abstention marks a turning point in the leadership of the prosecution for this high-profile financial case.
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