article_snippet.sent: Laurent Stefanini, 55, was in January asked by French President Francois Hollande to represent their country at the Holy See.
article_snippet.sent: Le Monde newspaper reported that Stefanini was a practising Catholic but Stefanini proposed move from head of protocol at the Elysee had 'not received the agreement of the Vatican's administration'.
article_snippet.sent: This is despite the fact that Stefanini worked as number two to the French ambassador at the Vatican, the smallest country in Europe, between 2001 and 2005.
article_snippet.sent: Laurent Stefanini, 55, was in January asked by French President Francois Hollande (pictured) to represent their country at the Holy See .
article_snippet.sent: the Vatican has not yet commented on Stefanini case, but sources close to French President Francois Hollande confirmed that other candidates were now being looked at for the prestigious job.
article_snippet.sent: Vatican City, home of the Holy See and headquarters of the global Catholic Church, covers 110 acres and has a population of 842.
article_snippet.sent: France's Council of Ministers approved Stefanini appointment on January 5th, but the position remains vacant.
article_snippet.sent: The Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois sent a letter to Pope Francis to support the French Government's choice of ambassador.
article_snippet.sent: However, some members of the Roman Curia believed Stefanini appointment was a provocation by the French Government.
highlights_snippet.sent: Laurent Stefanini, 55, asked to represent France to the Catholic Church .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: Catholic, Stefanini was number two at France's the Vatican mission from 2001 .
  