Parents of Madeleine meet pope

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2007

VATICAN CITY (AFP) — The parents of Madeleine McCann, the girl who disappeared in Portugal nearly a month ago, had an emotional meeting Wednesday with Pope Benedict XVI, who said he would pray for their daughter's return.

The pope spent several minutes talking with Gerry and Kate McCann -- both devout Roman Catholics -- following his weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square.

During the meeting, the pontiff placed his hand on a photograph of four-year-old Madeleine that Kate McCann had carried with her.

The McCanns, both dressed in black, were visibly moved by their meeting with Pope Benedict, although Gerry confessed afterwards to mixed emotions.

"It was more personal than I could ever imagine it could have been ... and his touch, words and thoughts...