Missing Girl's Parents Blessed By Pontiff

ROME, Italy, May 30, 2007 — -- The plight of Madeleine McCann, the 4-year-old English girl who went missing in Portugal on May 3rd, caught special attention again as the girl's parents came to the Vatican to meet Pope Benedict XVI and ask for his blessing and support in their search for their daughter.

At the end of his weekly Wednesday general audience, after giving his catechism and greeting the crowds in several languages, Pope Benedict XVI went up to the section reserved for special guests and greeted people lined up to see him. Kate and Gerry McCann, both Catholics, waited for their turn with particularly mixed emotions.

"In normal circumstances it could be one of the most exciting things we could do in our own lifetime but the fact remains we are here without Madeleine," Gerry McCann told journalists in front of St. Peter's Basilica just before the audience. "This is a very nerve-racking experience."

The Pope was shaking hands, smiling and waving as he made his way along but the mood changed dramatically when he was introduced by his secretary to the McCanns. Both dressed in dark suits (Kate McCann was wearing a rosary around her neck and a green ribbon in her hair) the couple stood apparently on the verge of tears as the Pope approached them and took their hands. Gerry McCann quickly kissed the Pope's ring and Kate McCann quietly listened to the Pope's words and almost in a whisper asked him if he would bless "a picture of Maddie."

The Pontiff gently stroked the photo and made the sign of the cross. He then turned to Gerry McCann and squeezed his hands at length. Gerry McCann was holding Madeleine's favorite stuffed animal, her Cuddle cat. He seemed too upset to speak.

At a news conference in Rome after the meeting, Kate McCann said the Pope "was very kind, very sincere," and said that he told them he would continue to pray for Madeleine's return. Gerry McCann was touched by how personal the Pope had been. "His touch and thoughts and words were more tender than we could have hoped, and that will sustain us during this most difficult time," he said.

The Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, told journalists that the brief meeting the McCanns had with the Pope was "very significant," and that the Benedict XVIth had wanted to show the McCanns and others who are in their same situation that "he cares, is close to them, and gives them his spiritual support."

Although their daughter has been missing for the better part of a month, the McCanns have not given up hope of finding her and continue their efforts to publicize her disappearance.

After their meeting with the Pope they held a press conference at the British Ambassador's residence in Rome, and appealed to "ordinary people" around the world for any information anyone might have that would help find Madeleine. They brought a poster of Madeleine, and particularly encouraged anyone who had been on vacation to the Algarve region of Portugal in the two weeks before Madeleine's disappearance to send any photos they may have taken to the British police website for missing people.

The McCanns also announced plans to travel to Spain, Germany and Holland, which together with Italy are the countries with the most tourism in Portugal, to continue their appeal for help.

Both devout Catholics, the McCanns have already taken their prayers for Madeleine to the sacred shrine of Fatima in Portugal.