President Francois Hollande is planning to legalize same-sex marriage, but the country's Catholic bishops and other religious leaders are fighting the initiative.

Public opinion appears to be moving in their favor, with a recent poll showing about 50 percent of French support same-sex marriage, down from 65 percent in August.

France has already legalized civil unions for same-sex couples, but this new law gives gay couples the rights to adopt.

Traditional French groups say children should be raised by a mother and a father.