On Holy Thursday, in a surprise gesture, Pope Francis has celebrated the Mass in Coena Domini in the private chapel of Cardinal Angelo Becciu in the cardinal’s apartment.

This was communicated via Cardinal Becciu to journalists and later reported by Vatican News. Ordinarily, the Pope would have presided over the Mass in Coena Domini in the Vatican at around the same time, but this year Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presided instead. The Vatican did not give reason for this change.

In September 2020, the Holy Father had accepted the double resignation of Cardinal Becciu after accusations of nepotism and embezzlement.

Cardinal Becciu had served as Substitute in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, and later as Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints, until he would be removed at that time in light of the suspected financial misdeeds.

Moreover, Becciu, despite retaining the title of cardinal, had his rights of being a cardinal removed, including the right to vote in a conclave.

Cardinal Becciu has maintained his innocence.