The visit came as Valerie Trierweiler prepared to make what may be her ‘last stand’ as French First Lady after announcing that she will honour a charity commitment in India this weekend.
Vatican Television covered Hollande's arrival in Rome on Friday live, showing the stately arrival of his motorcade in the Apostolic Palace courtyard, Holland's slow walk in the frescoed palace halls accompanied by Swiss Guards and finally his greeting with a solemn-faced Francis in the pope's private study.
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French President Francois Hollande, left, is
welcomed by Pope Francis on the occasion of their private audience at
the Vatican on Friday
TV images showed a smiling Hollande presenting the pope with a book about St. Francis of Assisi, and the pope, in turn, gave him a medal for visitors.
Hours before the arrival, a small homemade bomb exploded in front of a French foundation that manages French architectural treasures in Rome, including five churches, and is headed by the French Embassy to the Holy See.
The Carabinieri military police said no one was injured, but that a few windows of the palazzo were shattered and that three cars parked on the street outside were damaged.
Police said it wasn't clear if the bomb, which contained metal bits as well as explosive powder, was related to Hollande's visit or the foundation, which is located in the heart of Rome's historic center.
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Tabling talks: Pope Francis talks with French President Francois Hollande
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Hollande is received by Prefect of the
Pontifical House and former personal secretary of Pope Benedict XVI
Georg Ganswein as he arrives at the Cortile di San Damaso for a visit
with Pope Francis
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Heading out: Hollande arrives for his papal audience
Swiss guards walk to the Cortile di San Damaso at the Apostolic Palace for the audience of Pope Francis to Hollande
Hollande has acknowledged ‘painful moments’ in his relationship with his partner, Valerie Trierweiler.
He said he would clarify his domestic situation before a Febuary 11 state visit to Washington, when Trierweiler would normally accompany him.
Trierweiler, 48, who was not married to Hollande, was hospitalized January 10, a day after Closer magazine reported that Hollande was seeing actress Julie Gayet.
The magazine published photos showing a man it said was the president, wearing a helmet and seated on the back of a scooter, allegedly being taken to a rendezvous with Gayet.
The President is considering ending his two-year affair with her and 'giving in' to Miss Trierweiler's appeals to save their relationship, a close friend told France's VSD magazine.
He said: ‘Until now he has been thinking about going ahead with a separation, but he realises it's not quite that simple.
‘Valerie is determined to hang onto him. I know him. He is giving in to her.’
Hollande has acknowledged 'painful moments' in
his relationship with his partner, Valerie Trierweiler (left), while
Closer magazine has alleged that he's seeing Julie Gayet (right)
Hollande and Pope Francis exchange gifts
The presidential escort, meanwhile, said that Miss Trierweiler would maintain a diary arrangement to fly to Mumbai this weekend for Action Contre La Faim, a French aid organisation.
During the two day trip, she will visit a slum in the city to call attention to malnutrition, but will also be a guest of honour at a gala dinner, in her capacity as official escort to the French leader.
A friend of Miss Trierweiler told a French newspaper: ‘It’s a visit that was planned a long time ago. It’s a way of showing that she is attached to humanitarian causes and that she will continue to take an interest in them whatever happens in the days to come.’
While Parisians are terming the visit the First Lady’s ‘last stand’, Miss Trierweiler, nicknamed the Rottweiler, clearly has no intention of leaving her role at the Elysee palace quietly
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