French President Hollande meets with Pontiff

August 17, 2016

Pope Francis met privately with President Francois Hollande of France on August 17, for a conversation that reportedly centered on the death of Father Jacques Hamel.

Immediately after the shocking murder of Father Hamel, Hollande had spoken with the Pope. The French leader told reporters that the Pontiff had offered "very comforting words." Today's meeting was arranged shortly after that conversation.

The August 17 conversation in Rome was only the 2nd time that Pope Francis had met with Hollande, whose administration has had a somewhat frosty relationship with the Vatican. Their previous meeting had taken place in January 2014. 

 

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Further information:

• Pope Francis has private meeting with France’s President Hollande (Vatican Radio)
• French Cardinal on Hollande’s visit to Vatican (Vatican Radio)
• Au Vatican, Hollande évoque les "paroles réconfortantes" du pape (BFMTV)