The Vatican has lifted diplomatic immunity for its ambassador to France as he faces allegations of groping multiple men.
The Vatican announced the move Monday, allowing investigators from the Paris prosecutor’s office to more properly investigate claims that Archbishop Luigi Ventura inappropriately touched the accusers. The 74-year-old has denied wrongdoing and has been questioned by police about the claims.
One of the alleged victims, Mathieu de La Souchere, said Ventura touched his buttocks repeatedly at a Paris event in January. He filed a police report on the matter. De La Souchere told the Associated Press that he was “astonished” by the Vatican’s decision to revoke Ventura’s diplomatic immunity. He said he wants the matter to go to trial.
“I had been told that the fight was lost in advance and [am] happy because we will be entitled to a trial,” de La Souchere said. “Now, a new fight opens: the judicial fight.”
In May, Ventura agreed with investigators to meet with his accusers as part of a “confrontation.” The men all said that Ventura put his hands on their buttocks.
