2006年VOA标准英语-Pope Tells Christians to Oppose Violence W

（单词翻译）

By Sabina Castelfranco
Rome
01 March 2006

Pope Benedict XVI celebrated¹ Ash Wednesday to mark the start of the Catholic Church's period of Lent. He said the Christian² response to the violence that threatens peace in the world should not be revenge but opposing hatred³ with love.

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Pope Benedict XVI during Ash Wednesday procession to Basilica of Saint Sabina on Rome's Aventine Hill  
  

Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his first Ash Wednesday mass, which is traditionally held in the Basilica of Saint Sabina on Rome's Aventine Hill. The mass marks the start the Catholic Church's 40-day period of Lent, which culminates⁵ with Easter.

Dressed in purple vestments, the pope placed ashes on the heads of cardinals⁶, bishops⁷ and ordinary Catholics. The gesture symbolizes⁸ mortality.

In his homily, the pope said the Christian response to threats against peace in the world must not be revenge, hate or escape to false spiritualism but effort to oppose evil with good, lies with truth and hatred with love.

The pope also said love must then be translated into concrete action towards others, in particular towards the poor and needy⁹. Pope Benedict denounced indifference¹⁰ and selfishness in the face of the terrible challenges of poverty afflicting¹¹ a large part of humanity.

Earlier, addressing thousands in Saint Peter's Square for the general audience, the pope said Lent is a time of sincere sharing. He said that fasting and almsgiving, along with prayer, create the proper spirit to enter into the austere¹² and prayerful climate of Lent.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of a busy season for the pope, which will culminate⁴ with Holy Week, the seven days that begin with Palm Sunday and end with Easter Sunday on April 16.