Paris, France, Mar 4, 2019 / 13:19 pm
France's European affairs minister encouraged the Holy See last week to aid in an investigation of the apostolic nuncio to France, who has been accused of sexual assault in Paris.
Archbishop Luigi Ventura, 74, is accused of having inappriately touched a young male staffer of Paris City Hall during a Jan. 17 reception for the New Year address of Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo. He is being investigated by Parisian authorities.
Nathalie Loiseau, France's Minister of European Affiars, told French television channel CNews March 1 that "this inquiry needs to be allowed to reach its conclusion, what matters is that the truth be known."
"At this point, [Archbishop Ventura] benefits from diplomatic immunity, but the Holy See is clearly aware of the serious accusations that have been brought against the apostolic nuncio and I don't doubt for a second that the Holy See will do the right thing … I'm waiting for the Holy See to take its responsibilities in hand."