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Pope meets parents of Madeleine Pope meets parents of Madeleine
(about 6 hours later)
The parents of Madeleine McCann have met Pope Benedict in Rome and had a photograph of the abducted four-year-old blessed by him.The parents of Madeleine McCann have met Pope Benedict in Rome and had a photograph of the abducted four-year-old blessed by him.
Kate and Gerry McCann, from Rothley in Leicestershire, spoke briefly to the Pope as he met selected worshippers after his weekly audience.Kate and Gerry McCann, from Rothley in Leicestershire, spoke briefly to the Pope as he met selected worshippers after his weekly audience.
Afterwards, Mr McCann said the meeting had been a positive experience for him and his wife.Afterwards, Mr McCann said the meeting had been a positive experience for him and his wife.
Madeleine disappeared during a family holiday in Portugal on 3 May.Madeleine disappeared during a family holiday in Portugal on 3 May.
They flew to Rome from the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz in tycoon Sir Philip Green's private jet, which he put at their disposal. Her parents, who are devout Catholics, flew to Rome from the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz in tycoon Sir Philip Green's private jet.
'Mixed emotions''Mixed emotions'
The couple, who are devout Catholics, are also due to visit Spain, the Netherlands, Morocco and Germany to raise awareness of their daughter's disappearance. The general audience given by Pope Benedict XVI takes place every Wednesday and is held in St Peter's Square during the summer months. About 25,000 people were at the audience attended by the McCanns.
The general audience given by Pope Benedict XVI takes place every Wednesday and is held in St Peter's Square during the summer months. Around 25,000 people were at the audience attended by the McCanns.
Mrs McCann showed the Pope a photograph of Madeleine when she met him, which he blessed. He put his hand on the arms of both parents during the emotional meeting.Mrs McCann showed the Pope a photograph of Madeleine when she met him, which he blessed. He put his hand on the arms of both parents during the emotional meeting.
At a press conference after the audience Mr McCann said: "Today, meeting the Pontiff was an experience that has caused very mixed emotions for us. In ordinary circumstances it would be a highlight for any Catholic to meet the Pope Gerry McCann
At a later press conference, Mr McCann said: "Today, meeting the Pontiff was an experience that has caused very mixed emotions for us.
"In ordinary circumstances it would be a highlight for any Catholic to meet the Pope. Of course it's saddened by the marked realisation that our daughter is still missing."In ordinary circumstances it would be a highlight for any Catholic to meet the Pope. Of course it's saddened by the marked realisation that our daughter is still missing.
There was recognition when he looked at the photograph - his words and touch were more tender than I could have imagined Gerry McCann
"We know people everywhere are praying for our daughter and that helps sustain our belief that we can get her back safely.""We know people everywhere are praying for our daughter and that helps sustain our belief that we can get her back safely."
Speaking about the meeting with the Pope he added: "It was more personal than I could ever have imagined it would be.
"There was recognition when he looked at the photograph. His words and touch were more tender than I could have imagined."
Mr McCann said the goodness that had been generated by "one evil act" had restored his faith.Mr McCann said the goodness that had been generated by "one evil act" had restored his faith.
The McCanns reiterated their appeal for information on Madeleine and urged people to visit their website, www.findmadeleine.com.The McCanns reiterated their appeal for information on Madeleine and urged people to visit their website, www.findmadeleine.com.
Prayers Height mistake
The McCanns, both 38, are staying at the residency of the British ambassador to the Holy See. The McCanns, both 38, are staying at the residency of the British ambassador to the Holy See, Francis Campbell.
Retail tycoon Mr Green, who owns Top Shop, had offered the couple his 12-seater Gulfstream jet after hearing about the abduction. They have left their two-year-old twins in the Algarve with Mr McCann's sister, Trish Cameron, and her husband Sandy, deciding they were too young to take on the trip to Italy.
On arrival at Ciampino airport on Tuesday evening, the McCanns were met by the British ambassador to the Holy See, Francis Campbell, and a representative of the Catholic Church. The couple are also due to visit Spain, the Netherlands, Morocco and Germany to raise awareness of their daughter's disappearance.
The McCanns decided their two-year-old twins were too young to take on the trip to Italy, and left them with Mr McCann's sister, Trish Cameron, and her husband Sandy.
Mistake
This week the family released the last video clips taken of their daughter before her abduction.This week 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.
But the family said on Tuesday that police had got a crucial fact wrong in the description of the man.But the family said on Tuesday that police had got a crucial fact wrong in the description of the man.
The height of the man given on the Portuguese press release was 170cm (5ft 7ins) but it mistakenly appeared as 5ft 10ins in the English version. The height of the man given on the Portuguese press release was 170cm (5ft 7in) but it mistakenly appeared as 5ft 10in in the English version.
Spokesman for the McCanns, Clarence Mitchell, said the family were happy that a description had been released but hoped every detail "would be absolutely accurate in every respect".