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British court has ruled that the Vatican Secretariat of State was deceived by Italian financier Raffaele Mincione in a London building purchase. The High Court of England and Wales' decision, published on February 21, confirms that Mincione's actions led to financial losses for the Vatican.

    Mincione had been sentenced to five years and six months in prison by a Vatican lower court in December 2023 for financial crimes related to the case. He was also ordered to forfeit €200.5 million, one of the largest financial penalties ever imposed in the Vatican courts. Cardinal Angelo Becciu received a similar sentence for embezzlement.

    The ruling states that Becciu used $200 million from the Secretariat's reserved funds to buy shares through Mincione's fund between 2013 and 2014. The court found that Mincione withheld key information, misrepresented the property's value, and took advantage of the Vatican's lack of experience in such investments.

    Mincione had filed a lawsuit against the Vatican Secretariat of State in British court in June 2020, seeking legal declarations regarding his handling of the transaction. However, the court rejected his allegations, confirming that the Vatican was a victim of financial fraud.

    The ruling has significant implications for future cases involving the Holy See's financial operations and may influence ongoing judicial proceedings. Vatican journalist Andrea Tornielli noted that the decision establishes an important precedent by recognizing the Vatican as a victim of financial fraud in one of its most important real estate investments.