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Hollande meets Pope Francis as Trierweiler plans India trip Hollande meets Pope Francis as Trierweiler plans India trip
(about 1 hour later)
French President Francois Hollande, under pressure after reports he has been having an affair with an actress, is meeting Pope Francis in Rome. French President Francois Hollande has met Pope Francis at the Vatican on his first foreign visit since reports of his alleged affair with an actress.
Abortion and euthanasia are expected to be on the agenda ahead of planned changes to French laws. A Vatican statement said their talks covered the family, bioethics and respect for religious communities.
It is Mr Hollande's first meeting with the Pope since he was elected in 2012. France is planning to amend its laws on abortion and assisted suicide.
Mr Hollande's partner, Valerie Trierweiler, spent a week in hospital after claims emerged he had been having an affair with actress Julie Gayet. Mr Hollande's partner, Valerie Trierweiler, spent a week in hospital amid claims he had been having an affair with actress Julie Gayet.
Ms Gayet has announced she is suing Closer magazine, which published the original reports, for breach of privacy.Ms Gayet has announced she is suing Closer magazine, which published the original reports, for breach of privacy.
Ms Trierweiler, meanwhile, is travelling to India on Sunday in support of the work of the French charity Action Against Hunger.Ms Trierweiler, meanwhile, is travelling to India on Sunday in support of the work of the French charity Action Against Hunger.
On Thursday she sacked her lawyer for saying she was seeking to end her relationship with Mr Hollande "with the greatest possible dignity".On Thursday she sacked her lawyer for saying she was seeking to end her relationship with Mr Hollande "with the greatest possible dignity".
Ms Trierweiler told the Europe 1 radio network she "felt betrayed".Ms Trierweiler told the Europe 1 radio network she "felt betrayed".
Strained relationsStrained relations
Hours before Mr Hollande arrived in Rome, a small bomb exploded outside the offices of a French foundation near the Vatican. No-one was injured, police said, but three parked cars were damaged. Speaking after their meeting, Mr Hollande said he had asked the Pope if the Vatican would receive a delegation from one of Syria's main opposition groups, the National Council.
Talks aimed at ending the three-year-old Syrian conflict are under way in Switzerland.
"We need to do everything to stop the fighting and dispatch humanitarian aid," Mr Hollande said.
Hours before he arrived in Rome, a small bomb exploded outside the offices of a French foundation near the Vatican. No-one was injured, police said, but three parked cars were damaged.
In addition to his alleged affair with Ms Gayet, Mr Hollande and Ms Trierweiler have never married - a further irritant to Catholic traditionalists.In addition to his alleged affair with Ms Gayet, Mr Hollande and Ms Trierweiler have never married - a further irritant to Catholic traditionalists.
Mr Hollande has refused to state whether she remains his official partner and the first lady of France. Mr Hollande has refused to state whether she remains his official partner and the first lady of France. He has promised to clarify the situation before he makes a state visit to Washington next month.
The president also has four children with his previous partner, Segolene Royal.The president also has four children with his previous partner, Segolene Royal.
Relations between the Catholic Church and Mr Hollande's Socialist Party have also been strained at a policy level.Relations between the Catholic Church and Mr Hollande's Socialist Party have also been strained at a policy level.
The French National Assembly on Tuesday voted to strengthen the right to abortion and is considering a bill on assisted suicide.The French National Assembly on Tuesday voted to strengthen the right to abortion and is considering a bill on assisted suicide.
When France legalised same-sex marriage in May 2013, tens of thousands of people joined a rally in Paris to express their opposition.When France legalised same-sex marriage in May 2013, tens of thousands of people joined a rally in Paris to express their opposition.
More than 100,000 people have signed a petition drawn up by a Catholic group asking Pope Francis to express to Mr Hollande "the profound malaise and growing concern of many French Catholics".More than 100,000 people have signed a petition drawn up by a Catholic group asking Pope Francis to express to Mr Hollande "the profound malaise and growing concern of many French Catholics".
Ahead of his departure, Mr Hollande said he wanted to discuss Syria and the Middle East peace process with Pope Francis.Ahead of his departure, Mr Hollande said he wanted to discuss Syria and the Middle East peace process with Pope Francis.
Vatican-watchers say the French president wants to reach out to disaffected Catholic voters.Vatican-watchers say the French president wants to reach out to disaffected Catholic voters.