French President Francois Hollande met Friday with Pope Francis amid tensions in his private life over a gossip magazine’s report about an alleged affair with an actress.
Vatican Television covered Hollande’s arrival 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.
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. Their talks, however, were private.
Trierweiler, 48, who is not married to Hollande, was hospitalised Jan. 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.
