VOA标准英语2009年-Pope Delivers Christmas Blessing

Speaking in 65 different languages from the central balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica, Pope Benedict offeres a blessing¹ of peace and joy for the holiday.

Sabina Castelfranco | Rome 25 December 2009

 
Photo: AP
Pope Benedict XVI gestures to the faithful during the 'Urbi et Orbi' (to the City and to the World) blessing and message in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, 25 Dec 2009

Pope Benedict delivered his traditional Christmas Day blessing Friday just hours after being knocked to the ground by a woman at the start of Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. The Vatican said the 82-year-old Benedict was unhurt and that his busy Christmas schedule would remain unchanged.

Speaking in 65 different languages from the central balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica, Pope Benedict offered a blessing of peace and joy for the holiday.

"May the birth of the Prince of Peace remind the world where its true happiness lies, and may your hearts be filled with the hope and joy for the Savior has been born for us," he said.

In his Christmas message, Pope Benedict decried² the effects of the world financial crisis, conflicts in the Holy Land and Africa, and the plight³ of what he called the "tiny flock" of Christians⁴ in Iraq.

He said that at times Iraqi Christians are subject to violence and injustice⁵.  But he said they remain determined⁶ to make their own contribution to the building of a society opposed to the logic⁷ of conflict and the rejection⁸ of one's neighbor.

The pope appeared as planned for his traditional Christmas Day message and blessing hours after being knocked down by a woman who jumped the barrier at the start of Christmas Eve Mass.

The 25-year-old woman, described as "psychologically unstable⁹", was detained for questioning by Vatican security police. She was the same person who tried to jump a barricade¹⁰ to get close to the pope at last year's Christmas Mass. She has now been taken to a medical facility for examination.

French Cardinal¹¹ Roger Etchegaray was also injured in the incident, suffering a broken leg. He was taken to the hospital and will undergo surgery.

The pope celebrated¹² Christmas Eve Mass two hours earlier than the usual midnight starting time in a move by the Vatican to ease his busy holiday commitments. Pope Benedict has been remarkably¹³ healthy during his pontificate, keeping to a busy schedule and traveling around the world. He already has plans to travel to Malta, Portugal and Britain in 2010.
 

1 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

2 decried   

v.公开反对，谴责( decry的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The measures were decried as useless. 这些措施受到指责，说是不起作用。
• The old poet decried the mediocrity of today's writing. 老诗人抨击了现代文体的平庸无奇。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

3 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。

4 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

5 injustice   

n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利

参考例句：

• They complained of injustice in the way they had been treated.他们抱怨受到不公平的对待。
• All his life he has been struggling against injustice.他一生都在与不公正现象作斗争。

6 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

7 logic   

n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性

参考例句：

• What sort of logic is that?这是什么逻辑？
• I don't follow the logic of your argument.我不明白你的论点逻辑性何在。

8 rejection   

n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃

参考例句：

• He decided not to approach her for fear of rejection.他因怕遭拒绝决定不再去找她。
• The rejection plunged her into the dark depths of despair.遭到拒绝使她陷入了绝望的深渊。

9 unstable   

adj.不稳定的，易变的

参考例句：

• This bookcase is too unstable to hold so many books.这书橱很不结实，装不了这么多书。
• The patient's condition was unstable.那患者的病情不稳定。

10 barricade   

n.路障，栅栏，障碍；vt.设路障挡住

参考例句：

• The soldiers make a barricade across the road.士兵在路上设路障。
• It is difficult to break through a steel barricade.冲破钢铁障碍很难。

11 cardinal   

n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的

参考例句：

• This is a matter of cardinal significance.这是非常重要的事。
• The Cardinal coloured with vexation. 红衣主教感到恼火，脸涨得通红。

12 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

13 remarkably   

ad.不同寻常地，相当地

参考例句：

• I thought she was remarkably restrained in the circumstances. 我认为她在那种情况下非常克制。
• He made a remarkably swift recovery. 他康复得相当快。