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| McCanns leave for Rome Pope visit | McCanns leave for Rome Pope visit |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The parents of abducted British four- year-old Madeleine McCann have left Portugal to attend an audience with the Pope in Rome. | |
| Kate and Gerry McCann, from Rothley in Leicestershire, were chauffeur-driven to tycoon Sir Philip Green's private jet, which he put at their disposal. | Kate and Gerry McCann, from Rothley in Leicestershire, were chauffeur-driven to 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 Portugal. | After visiting the Vatican on Wednesday the McCanns will address the media, before returning to Portugal. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 |
| Earlier her family released the last video clips taken of their daughter before her abduction. | Earlier her 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. | 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 couple, both 38, took off from the VIP terminal near Faro airport to fly to Rome's Ciampino airport. | |
| Retail tycoon Mr Green, who owns Top Shop, offered them his 12-seater Gulfstream jet after hearing about the abduction. | Retail tycoon Mr Green, who owns Top Shop, offered them 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 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 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, Francis Campbell. | The couple - who are devout Catholics - will stay at the residency of the British ambassador to the Holy See, Francis Campbell. |
| 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. |
| 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. |