Pope blesses picture of missing British girl

VATICAN CITY, May 30 (Reuters) The parents of a four-year-old British girl snatched from a Portuguese holiday resort nearly a month ago met Pope Benedict today and the Pontiff blessed a photograph of the child.

The mother of Madeleine McCann appeared to be holding back tears as she held up the picture of her daughter, which the Pope touched gently and then blessed with the sign of the cross.

Gerry and Kate McCann were in a section reserved for special guests at the Pope's weekly general audience in St Peter's Square. The Pope walked over to the section at the end of his audience.

The girl's father kissed the Pope's hands. Both parents appeared to be very emotional as they spoke to the Pope and he touched their hands.

Kate carried a pink fluffy toy cat that belongs to her missing daughter.

In his public comments during the audience, the Pope made no reference to Madeleine who disappeared on May 3.

The McCanns, who are due to hold a news conference later, told reporters before the audience that they would seek comfort from the Pope.

''We have mixed emotions about being here,'' Gerry McCann told reporters.

''Under normal circumstances it would be one of the most exciting things we could do in our own lifetime, but very much on our minds is the fact that we're here without Madeleine.'' ''This is a very nerve-racking experience.'' Both parents, who are Catholics, wore dark suits to the outdoor audience in St Peter's square, which was attended by tens of thousands of people.

Madeleine was snatched in the evening from a holiday resort apartment as her parents ate at a restaurant about 100 metres away, in sight of the apartment.

Britain has been gripped by the McCann's tragedy and photographs of the blonde-haired child have rarely been off the front pages of British newspapers since her abduction.

REUTERS GL VV1724