WORLD NEWSJULY 8, 2019 / 1:07 PM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO

Vatican lifts immunity of Paris envoy: French foreign ministry

PARIS (Reuters) - The Vatican has lifted the diplomatic immunity of its envoy in France, the French foreign ministry said on Monday, opening the way for Archbishop Luigi Ventura to be questioned by prosecutors over accusations of sexual molestation.

French authorities opened an investigation into Ventura, 74, in January after a junior official at Paris City Hall accused him of molestation.

Because of his diplomatic immunity — the position of papal nuncio is equivalent to ambassador — prosecutors have been unable to question Ventura about the allegations.

“The ministry for European affairs... has received confirmation from the Holy See of its renunciation of immunity in relation to the proceedings,” a spokeswoman for the French foreign ministry said in a statement.

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