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Madeleine parents arrive in Rome | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The parents of abducted British four-year-old Madeleine McCann have travelled from Portugal to attend an audience with the Pope in Rome. | |
Kate and Gerry McCann, from Rothley in Leicestershire, flew to Italy in tycoon Sir Philip Green's private jet, which he had put at their disposal. | |
The pair's twins, Sean and Amelie, have been left in the care of relatives. | The pair's twins, Sean and Amelie, have been left in the care of relatives. |
After visiting the Vatican on Wednesday the McCanns will address the media, before returning to the Algarve. | |
Madeleine disappeared from the family's holiday apartment in the resort of Praia da Luz on 3 May as her parents ate dinner at a nearby restaurant. | |
This is essentially a spiritual visit although it has come from the most appalling circumstances McCann family spokesman | This is essentially a spiritual visit although it has come from the most appalling circumstances McCann family spokesman |
On arrival at Ciampino airport, the couple were met by the British Ambassador to the Holy See, Francis Campbell, and a representative of the Catholic Church. | |
The McCanns decided their two-year-old twins were too young to take on the trip to Italy, and have left them with Mr McCann's sister, Trish Cameron, and her husband Sandy. | The McCanns decided their two-year-old twins were too young to take on the trip to Italy, and have left them with Mr McCann's sister, Trish Cameron, and her husband Sandy. |
Retail tycoon Mr Green, who owns Top Shop, had offered the couple his 12-seater Gulfstream jet after hearing about the abduction. | |
'Serious and sombre' | 'Serious and sombre' |
After attending the general audience with Pope Benedict XVI, the McCanns, both 38, will then have a private conversation with the pontiff on the steps of St Peter's. | |
Mrs McCann plans to give the Pope a photograph of Madeleine. | Mrs McCann plans to give the Pope a photograph of Madeleine. |
The couple - who are devout Catholics - will stay at the residency of the British ambassador to the Holy See. | |
The Pope is expected to "prominently" refer to Madeleine during prayers. | The Pope is expected to "prominently" refer to Madeleine during prayers. |
The McCann family spokesman said: "This is essentially a spiritual visit, although it has come from the most appalling circumstances." | The McCann family spokesman said: "This is essentially a spiritual visit, although it has come from the most appalling circumstances." |
They wanted the tone of the trip to be "private, serious and sombre", he said. | They wanted the tone of the trip to be "private, serious and sombre", he said. |
Kate and Gerry McCann are also planning to visit countries including Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Morocco to raise awareness about their daughter. | Kate and Gerry McCann are also planning to visit countries including Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Morocco to raise awareness about their daughter. |
Earlier the family released the last video clips taken of their daughter before her abduction. | |
Meanwhile, Portuguese police have received hundreds of calls after they released a description of a man seen near the McCanns' holiday flat. | Meanwhile, Portuguese police have received hundreds of calls after they released a description of a man seen near the McCanns' holiday flat. |