French President Francois Hollande has arrived at the Vatican for a meeting with Pope Francis amid tensions in his private life over a gossip magazine's report about an alleged affair.

In a break with tradition, Vatican Television covered his arrival live.

Hours before the arrival, a small home-made bomb exploded in front of a French foundation that works with the French Embassy 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 was not clear if the bomb was related to Mr Holland's visit or the foundation.

Mr Hollande has acknowledged "painful moments" in his relationship with Valerie Trierweiler.

Ms Trierweiler is scheduled to travel to India on a humanitarian trip next week, days after leaving the hospital where she was treated in the wake of the reports that Mr Hollande was having an affair.

Aid group Action Against Hunger says she is expected to visit a slum and a hospital as part of the long-planned trip to Mumbai. Group spokeswoman Julia Belusa said Trierweiler "has not cancelled".