By Mirror.co.uk  30/05/2007

MADELEINE McCann’s parents Kate and Gerry today had a tearful audience with the Pope in Rome today.

The couple left Portugal for the first time since four-year-old Madeleine’s disappearance to meet Pope Benedict XVI.

They spent around 30 seconds with the Pope, breaking down in tears at his words of comfort, during a two-and-a-half hour ceremony. Mrs McCann presented the Pope with a picture of her missing daughter.

An English-speaking priest issued a prayer on behalf of the Pope, telling them: “In a special way his blessing goes to your children and your loved ones.”