The French had a problem with the English and the Spanish. Kept them busy, so they ignored me. They got excommunicated, then rebelled, so I took over 3 of their provinces, while owned by the rebels, i.e no war with the French.

Also, I suspect, being allied to only Christian Factions and not muslim or othordox showed my loyalty to the Christian Faith. When the French attacked England and spain I broke off my alliance with them.