Vatican envoy to France under scanner for sexual aggression allegation

Paris:The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into alleged “sexual aggression” by Luigi Ventura, the Vatican’s envoy to France, according to a French judicial official.

Confirming a report published by Le Monde newspaper on Friday, the official said the investigation targeting the Apostolic nuncio will be conducted by Paris police following an alleged incident inside the French capital’s town hall.

The official was not authorised to speak publicly because the investigation is ongoing. According to Le Monde, Ventura, who has been holding the post within the Holy See’s global diplomatic corps since 2009, is suspected of having sexually molested a young male employee at the City Hall during a ceremony of wishes on January 17.

Paris City Hall did not immediately respond to a message seeking comments. Ventura is the third Vatican diplomat accused of sexual wrongdoing. In June last year, the Vatican tribunal convicted Monsignor Carlo Capella of possession and distribution of child porn and sentenced him to five years in prison.