Pope blesses picture of missing British girl

Pope Benedict yesterday comforted the parents of a four-year-old British girl snatched from a Portuguese holiday resort and blessed a photograph of the child held up by her mother.

The mother of Madeleine McCann appeared to be holding back tears as she and her husband, both Catholics, met the Pope at the end of his general audience in St Peter's Square as the abduction approached its one-month mark.

"He said he would pray for us and our family and for Madeleine's safe return," Kate McCann said afterwards. During their brief meeting Kate McCann held up a photograph of Madeleine. The Pope touched it gently, blessed it by making the sign of the cross and then spoke words of comfort.

"It was very emotional but also a positive experience... that photograph will stay with me," the mother said afterwards.

She and husband Gerry met the Pope when he walked over to a section reserved for special guests at the outdoor audience attended by tens of thousands of people.

The girl's father, who kissed the Pope's hand, said later he and his wife were touched and encouraged by the Pope's gestures.