Madeleine parents await decision on Pope meeting
A final decision is expected today on whether the parents of missing Madeleine McCann will meet the Pope this week.
Catholics Kate and Gerry McCann are hoping to meet the Pontiff as they embark on a series of trips around Europe.
They may attend a general audience in Rome on Wednesday.
It is hoped Pope Benedict XVI will refer to Madeleine and her parents during prayers in St Peter’s Square.
The visit would be the first of a number the couple are expected to make to countries including Spain, Germany and the Netherlands.
They are keen to keep Madeleine’s case in the public eye in the hope she may still be found.
It is not yet known if there will be the opportunity for the couple to spend some private time with the head of the Catholic church.
They are said to believe the trip will “help them spiritually”.
It is 25 days since Madeleine, now aged four, was taken from her bed as she slept in the family’s holiday apartment in Praia Da Luz, Algarve.
Clarence Mitchell, the Foreign Office liaison officer for the family, is helping the McCanns plan the trip.
He said: “I can confirm that approaches have been made to Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor and to the British ambassador to the Holy See and we are certainly exploring the possibility of Gerry and Kate McCann visiting Rome to meet the Pope in the near future.”
The couple have received two offers of private jets to use. One is thought to have been offered by multi-millionaire British tycoon Philip Green.
The couple are very conscious of appearing to be enjoying a luxury lifestyle and may only use the jet because it is the most practical option.
They hope to make day trips, leaving twins Sean and Amelie in the care of relatives, but may have to stay overnight in some places.
Other destinations being considered include Madrid, Seville, Berlin and Amsterdam.
Cardinal Murphy O’Connor, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, has spoken to Mr McCann and will help the family to meet the Pope as soon as possible, his office said.
Meanwhile a woman who saw a child being carried off in the arms of a mystery man is wracked with guilt that she did not challenge him, it has emerged.
The close family friend saw a young blonde girl wearing “distinguishable” pyjamas and wrapped in a blanket being carried near the McCanns’ apartment.
At the time she thought it was odd, but later she realised to her horror that it may have been Madeleine.
Described as the “principal witness” in the case by police sources, she has returned to the UK.
The McCanns, from Rothley in Leicestershire, are said to feel sorry for her anguish and do not blame her.
Details of the sighting came as hundreds of calls were made to police about the description of a white man aged between 35 and 40 seen holding what was thought to be a child on the night Madeleine disappeared.
The witness, who has been advised by police not to discuss events of that night, joined the McCanns at dinner at about 9.30pm.
“She thought it was odd, but thought it was the man’s own child,” the police source said.
“He was walking urgently, neither running or walking.”
Dismissing the thought, she went on to dinner during which the McCanns had been making regular checks on their children.
However, at 10pm, Mrs McCann went into the apartment, discovered Madeleine was missing and raised the alarm.
The friend “instantly” realised what she might have had seen and gave a statement and description to the authorities “within hours”.
But sources said the significance was missed: “The officers who took the description did not seem interested, they just seemed to have filed it away.
“She went back to the UK and Leicestershire police said she was the principal witness to what happened.
“The view of the family is that this was Madeleine being taken. As a result they do not blame the woman, but she feels dreadful guilt.
“They feel sorry for her.”
The description of the suspect was not issued until day 22 of Madeleine’s disappearance – something believed to be of great frustration to the McCanns.
The Portuguese police lifted their ban on releasing details after the family had numerous discussions with Chancellor Gordon Brown.
There is still only one named suspect in the case – property developer Robert Murat whose house is just 150 metres from the McCanns’ apartment.
Portuguese police searched the house and seized his computer, which contained evidence of both child pornography and bestiality, a police source said.
The 33-year-old was described as having an “interesting sexual history”.
Despite the nature of the material uncovered, nothing has been found to directly link him to Madeleine’s disappearance.
