A Catholic cardinal convicted of embezzlement and fraud has announced he won't take part in the conclave to choose a successor to the late Pope Francis.

The Italian cardinal at the heart of the Vatican’s “trial of the century” announced he was withdrawing from participating in the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope.

An Italian cardinal who was convicted of embezzlement and fraud said on Tuesday he will not take part in the secret conclave to elect the new pope that will be held in the Sistine Chapel next week following the death of Pope Francis.