text: The Catholic Church has been accused of blocking the appointment of the first ever homosexual ambassador to Vatican City. Laurent Stefanini, 55, was in January asked by French President Francois Hollande to represent their country at the Holy See. But the controversial appointment was met 'with a stony silence', according to the French media. The appointment was met 'with a stony silence' by the Vatican (pictured), according to French media . Le Monde newspaper reported that Mr Stefanini was a practising Catholic but his proposed move from head of protocol at the Elysee had 'not received the agreement of the Vatican's administration'. It added: 'The homosexuality of the appointee would have triggered a barrage against him.' This is despite the fact that Mr Stefanini worked as number two to the French ambassador at the Vatican, the smallest country in Europe, between 2001 and 2005. Le Monde writes ironically that Mr Stefanini counted without the 'charitable souls in Paris and Rome who wanted to turn his sexual orientation into a disability' and 'mobilised to derail his nomination'. Laurent Stefanini, 55, was in January asked by French President Francois Hollande (pictured) to represent their country at the Holy See . In July 2013, Pope Francis seemed to speak out against centuries of anti-gay teaching by the Catholic Church, saying homosexuals should not be marginalised. Speaking on a flight back from Brazil to Italy, he reaffirmed the official position that homosexual acts were sinful, but homosexual orientation was not. 'If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?' said the Pope. The Vatican has not yet commented on the Mr Stefanini's case, but sources close to President Hollande confirmed that other candidates were now being looked at for the prestigious job. Vatican City, home of the Holy See and headquarters of the global Catholic Church, covers 110 acres and has a population of 842. France's Council of Ministers approved Mr Stefanini's appointment on January 5th, but the position remains vacant. The Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois sent a letter to Pope Francis to support the French Government's choice of ambassador. However, some members of the Roman Curia believed Mr Stefanini's appointment was a provocation by the French Government. Gay marriage was legalised in France under the presidency of Mr Hollande, who is a father of four who has never wed, despite having numerous girlfriends. In July 2013, Pope Francis seemed to speak out against centuries of anti-gay teaching by the Catholic Church .
target: Laurent Stefanini, 55, asked to represent France to the Catholic Church .
  Homosexual diplomat's appointment met with silence from the Vatican .
  Catholic, Stefanini was number two at France's Vatican mission from 2001 .
  In 2013 the Pope seemed to speak out against the Vatican's anti-gay stance .