VOA标准英语2012--Pope Benedict Ends Cuba Visit

Pope Benedict Ends Cuba Visit

They walked the last kilometer, and more, to witness Pope Benedict's mass.

In his homily, the pontiff spoke¹ of his joy at the recent increase in freedom given to the Roman Catholic Church in Cuba. But he also referred to the isolation² of a country that has been under a U.S. embargo³ for the past 50 years.

“Cuba and the world need change, but this will occur only if each one is in a position to seek the truth and chooses the way of love, sowing reconciliation⁴ and fraternity,” he said.

Before arriving in Cuba, Benedict called on the government to recognize that Marxism, in his words, “no longer corresponds to reality.”

At a press conference on Tuesday, the official in charge of economic reforms, Vice⁵ President Marino Murillo, rejected the pope's critique.

"In Cuba there won't be political reform,” he said.

Marxist revolutionary heroes Ernesto “Che” Guevarra and Camilo Cienfuegos looked over their shoulders as they prayed to God.

It was hot, even for Cubans, and it was hard to see from so far away. But it was still meaningful for Clara Martinez.

“Having the pope in Cuba is very important for religious people. I think it's an unforgettable experience and may be the last time. It's not often that the pope visits," Martinez said.

Catholics remember Pope John Paul II's visit in 1998. They are a small minority in Cuba, which has a variety of religious groups.

The Vatican is hoping to win over the many Cubans who mix Catholic and African traditions.

Katia Ogania may be prepared to convert.

“I'm an atheist⁶. But I wouldn't mind, because if it's for the good of my people. I'm there,” Ogania said.

Many people came out of faith, many out of curiosity. But few expect that Benedict's visit will lead to any real political change. 

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

3 embargo   

n.禁运（令）；vt.对...实行禁运，禁止（通商）

参考例句：

• This country put an oil embargo on an enemy country.该国对敌国实行石油禁运。
• During the war,they laid an embargo on commerce with enemy countries.在战争期间，他们禁止与敌国通商。

4 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

5 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

6 atheist   

n.无神论者

参考例句：

• She was an atheist but now she says she's seen the light.她本来是个无神论者，可是现在她说自己的信仰改变了。
• He is admittedly an atheist.他被公认是位无神论者。