Vatican envoy to France Luigi Ventura in sexual assault probe, judicial source says
The Vatican’s envoy to France is under investigation for sexual assault after being accused of molesting an official at the Paris mayor’s office, a judicial source told AFP.
The envoy, 74-year-old Luigi Ventura, has been based in Paris since 2009 and serves as a diplomat for Pope Francis and is covered by diplomatic immunity.
He was accused of molesting a man at the Paris town hall on January 17 when mayor Anne Hidalgo gave a New Year’s address to diplomats, religious leaders and civil society figures.
“During the ceremony, a city employee was repeatedly groped on the backside, in three instances, once in front of a witness,” a town hall source told AFP.
“It was quickly decided to report the matter to the public prosecutor,” said Patrick Klugman, deputy mayor responsible for international relations.
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/2186386/vatican-envoy-france-luigi-ventura-sexual-assault-probe-judicial