Vatican Television covered Hollande's visit live, showing the stately arrival of his motorcade in the Apostolic Palace courtyard, Hollande'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.
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 ambassador 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.
Hollande
said he and the pope had discussed the security situation in the
Central African Republic, where French forces are helping to stabilize
the poor country and end sectarian violence between Christians and
Muslims — as well as the war in Syria.
"I expressed the wish that the Vatican might welcome the
democratic Syrian coalition, to make it clear that peace must be found
through a political solution that allows for pluralism," said Hollande,
noting that the Holy See was party to talks in Geneva over the Syria
crisis. "We must do all we can to stop the fighting and deploy
humanitarian aid."
He also said the pope had mentioned he was working on a document about the environment, without providing further details.
The president presented the pope with a book about St. Francis of Assisi, and the pope in turn gave him a medal.
The
Holy See for its part said the talks focused on issues about the
family, bioethics and respect for religious freedom. The Vatican and the
Catholic Church in France vigorously opposed France's gay marriage and
gay adoption law, which was a cornerstone of the Socialist Hollande's
election manifesto.
Hollande
has acknowledged "painful moments" in his relationship with his partner,
Trierweiler. He said he would clarify his domestic situation before a
Feb. 11 state visit to Washington, when Trierweiler would normally
accompany him.
Trierweiler, 48, who was not married to Hollande, was
hospitalized 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.
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