Rumours aside, Hollande meets Pope Francis

French president François Hollande met Pope Francis amid tensions in his private life over a gossip magazine’s report about an alleged affair with an actress.

Hollande did not mention the scandal or Valerie Trierweiler, the first lady, in brief remarks to reporters at the Vatican afterwards.

He did not take questions, cancelling a planned press conference in favour of a statement about the issues discussed with Francis: Africa, Syria, refugees, and the environment.

Vatican Television covered Hollande’s visit live, showing the arrival of his motorcade in the Apostolic Palace courtyard, his 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.

Hollande said he and the Pope had discussed the security situation in the Central African Republic — where French forces are helping to stabilise the poor country and end sectarian violence between Christians and Muslims — as well as the war in Syria.

Meanwhile, Trierweiler will be in India tomorrow to back a charity after a two-week rest, including hospitalisation, following revelations of her partner’s affair.

Trierweiler “is going to Mumbai”, an aide said, adding that the two-day trip was organised by French relief organisation Action Against Hunger and had been planned long in advance.

The aid group had invited Trierweiler in her official capacity and was paying for the trip, the aide said.

Trierweiler remains holed up in a presidential retreat near the chateau of Versailles outside Paris after leaving hospital last Saturday, where she was treated for a bout of “tiredness” brought on by the scandal. She was in hospital for a week.