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Madeleine parents arrive in Rome McCanns to attend papal audience
(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. The parents of abducted four-year-old Madeleine McCann are to attend an audience with Pope Benedict in Rome.
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. 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.
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. The couple are also due to visit Spain, the Netherlands, Morocco and Germany to raise awareness of their daughter.
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 Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on 3 May as her parents ate dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Meeting the Pope is potentially hugely important to what we are trying to achieve as a family Kate McCannMeeting the Pope is potentially hugely important to what we are trying to achieve as a family Kate McCann
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 emotionsMixed 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. 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.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.
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 McCanns left their twins with family as they departed for ItalyThe 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 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.
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.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.
"We never for one moment thought we would get such publicity, but it means we can get our message across.""We never for one moment thought we would get such publicity, but it means we can get our message across."
The couple, who are devout Catholics, said they had mixed emotions about coming to the Vatican. The couple, who are both Catholic, said they had mixed emotions about coming to the Vatican.
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."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."
They are also planning to visit countries including Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Morocco to raise awareness about their daughter.