Paris, France, Feb 15, 2019 / 08:26 am
Bishop Luigi Ventura, apostolic nuncio to France since 2009 and a long-time Vatican diplomat, is under investigation for alleged sexual assault.
The French newspaper Le Monde reported Friday that Ventura, 74, is being investigated by Paris authorities after he was accused late last month of having inappropriately touched a young male staffer of Paris City Hall.
A Vatican statement Feb. 15 said that it was made aware of the French authorities' investigation of the envoy through the press and is "awaiting the outcome of the investigations."
The alleged assault is said to have taken place in Paris' City Hall Jan. 17, during a reception for the annual New Year address of Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo. The address is usually given to diplomats, religious leaders, and civil society members, with a role by the apostolic nuncio.