Hollande's Socialists cool to Rome

France's new Socialist Government kept strictly to secular protocol by sending Manuel Valls - who as interior minister is also responsible for relations with religions - to attend the canonisation of the French Jesuit Fr Jacques Berthieu in Rome last weekend, in contrast to former President Nicolas Sarkozy's high-profile visits to the Vatican.

Following tradition, President François Hollande has accepted the honorary title of canon of the Basilica of St John Lateran - a privilege reserved for French presidents since the fifteenth century - but has no intention of going there to be installed, Mr Valls said during the visit.
Mr Valls confirmed to the Vatican's foreign minister, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, that Paris would go ahead with its plan to legalise gay marriage despite church opposition.