Luigi Ventura

Luigi Ventura (born 9 December 1944) is an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church who worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See, ending his career as Apostolic Nuncio to France from 2009 to 2019. He became a nuncio and archbishop in 1995 and served in several African countries, Chile, and Canada before being posted to Paris.

Beginning in January 2019 he was under investigation by French authorities for sexual crimes. In July 2019, the Vatican lifted his diplomatic immunity to allow him to face criminal charges. He was allowed to relocate to Rome; Pope Francis accepted his resignation in December 2019. Ventura's criminal trial began in Paris on 10 November 2020 without him present, despite previous pledges that he would appear in-person. However, Ventura was also denied a motion to postpone the trial, which proceeded with many of his accusers testifying. A verdict was handed down on 16 December 2020, which resulted in Ventura receiving an eight-month suspended prison sentence which includes fines and probation. He has agreed to not appeal his sentence.