Carla Bruni-Sarkozy longing for a baby for 3 years, says family priest

French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy’s family priest has revealed that she has been ‘longing for a baby for three years’.

The remarks from Fr Silvano Bellomo have added more weight to rumours that the 43-year-old former supermodel is expecting her first child - or children - with President Nicolas Sarkozy, reports The Telegraph.

Fr Bellamo, vicar of the Paris suburb of Triel-sur-Seine, was asked directly if Carla was pregnant in an interview with le Parisien newspaper.

"It's not something I want to go into. But I can tell you that she has been wanting a baby for three years,” he replied. 

"She even prayed for one during a recent visit to India,” he added.

Fr Bellamo said he baptised the son Carla had with then boyfriend Raphael Enthoven nine years ago.
 
"If another child arrives at the Elysee palace, I'll be available to do that one too," he added.

Bruni - who is also said to have given up smoking - has herself also hinted she may be pregnant but has made no official announcement.

She has also abandoned plans to appear on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, sparking claims her bump may now be showing.