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Madeleine parents arrive in Rome Madeleine parents arrive in Rome
(about 1 hour later)
The parents of abducted British four-year-old Madeleine McCann have travelled from Portugal to attend an audience with the Pope in Rome.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. Kate and Gerry McCann, from Rothley in Leicestershire, flew to Italy in tycoon Sir Philip Green's private jet, which he 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.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.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 Meeting the Pope is potentially hugely important to what we are trying to achieve as a family Kate McCann
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. This week the family released the last video clips taken of their daughter before her abduction.
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. 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.
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.
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".
Mixed emotions
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 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.
Retail tycoon Mr Green, who owns Top Shop, had offered the couple his 12-seater Gulfstream jet after hearing about the abduction.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'
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.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 McCanns left their twins with family as they departed for Italy
The couple 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." Mr McCann said they were feeling nervous: "Meeting the Pope is so potentially hugely important to what we are trying to achieve as a family.
They wanted the tone of the trip to be "private, serious and sombre", he said. "We never for one moment thought we would get such publicity, but it means we can get our message across."
Kate and Gerry McCann are also planning to visit countries including Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Morocco to raise awareness about their daughter. The couple, who are devout Catholics, said they had mixed emotions about coming to the Vatican.
Earlier the family released the last video clips taken of their daughter before her abduction. Mr McCann said: "If we were doing this if Madeleine hadn't been abducted, we would have been really excited, but the only reason we are here is because Madeleine is missing."
Meanwhile, Portuguese police have received hundreds of calls after they released a description of a man seen near the McCanns' holiday flat. They are also planning to visit countries including Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Morocco to raise awareness about their daughter.