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Pope meets parents of Madeleine Pope meets parents of Madeleine
(about 2 hours later)
The parents of abducted four-year-old Madeleine McCann are attending an audience with Pope Benedict in Rome. The parents of Madeleine McCann have met Pope Benedict in Rome and shown him a photograph of the abducted four-year-old.
Kate and Gerry McCann, from Rothley in Leicestershire, flew from Portugal in tycoon Sir Philip Green's private jet, which he put at their disposal. Kate and Gerry McCann, from Rothley in Leicestershire, spoke briefly to the Pope as he met selected worshippers after his weekly audience.
The couple's two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie, have been left in the care of relatives. The couple had attended the audience sitting in the front row, usually reserved for dignitaries.
The couple are also due to visit Spain, the Netherlands, Morocco and Germany to raise awareness of their daughter. Madeleine disappeared during a family holiday in Portugal on 3 May.
Madeleine disappeared from the family's holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on 3 May as her parents ate dinner at a nearby restaurant. 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.
Meeting the Pope is potentially hugely important to what we are trying to achieve as a family Kate McCann Obviously we've got very mixed emotions about being here, and of course why we're here are not normal circumstances Gerry McCann
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 normally held in St Peter's Square during the summer months. As many as 40,000 people gather in the square.
Mrs McCann showed the Pope a photograph of Madeleine when she met him, which he blessed.
Speaking as he arrived at St Peter's Square, Mr McCann said: "Obviously we've got very mixed emotions about being here, and of course why we're here are not normal circumstances.
"It would be one of the most exciting things we could do in our own lifetime, but very much on our minds is the fact that we're here without Madeleine."
Prayers
The McCanns, both 38, are staying at the residency of the British ambassador to the Holy See.
Retail tycoon Mr Green, who owns Top Shop, had offered the couple his 12-seater Gulfstream jet after hearing about the abduction.
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.
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 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".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.
Mr and Mrs McCann, both 38, are attending a general audience with Pope Benedict XVI, where they are sitting in the front row, normally reserved for dignitaries.
They 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.
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 general audience takes place every Wednesday and is normally held in St Peter's Square during the summer months. As many as 40,000 people gather in the square.
Speaking as he arrived at St Peter's Square, Mr McCann said: "Obviously we've got very mixed emotions about being here, and of course why we're here are not normal circumstances.
"It would be one of the most exciting things we could do in our own lifetime, but very much on our minds is the fact that we're here without Madeleine."