2006年VOA标准英语-Thousands Gather in Vatican to Celebrate Christ

By Sabina Castelfranco
Rome
24 December 2006

blessing1 during the Angelus noon prayer at the Vatican, 24 Dec 2006<br />" hspace="2" src="/upimg/allimg/070514/1110510.jpg" width="207" vspace="2" border="0" />

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during the Angelus noon prayer at the Vatican, 24 Dec 2006

Pope Benedict addressed pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square this Sunday and said that the celebration of Holy Christmas is now imminent². Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.

A long applause broke out in Saint Peter's Square Sunday when Pope Benedict appeared at his study window. He told those gathered that today's vigil prepares us to live intensely the mystery that this night will help us contemplate³ with the eyes of faith.

Pope Benedict said the Christmas of Christ helps people understand the importance of the life of every human being, from first instance to natural death.

The pope also urged the faithful to be committed to overcome prejudice, knock down barriers and eliminate divisions to build together a world of justice and peace. The pope then greeted the faithful in various languages.

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent⁴ and also, this year, Christmas Eve. The Liturgy⁵ of today's celebration invites all believers to welcome joyfully⁶ the promised Messiah who comes to us through the Virgin⁷ Mary.

Thousands of Romans and tourists are expected to turn out tonight at the Vatican for Pope Benedict's second midnight mass. Millions more will be watching the service on television around the world.

The mass in Saint Peter's Basilica will celebrate the birth of Jesus. The pope will then address the faithful again on Christmas Day and deliver his Urbi et Orbi message and blessing.

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 imminent   

adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的

参考例句：

• The black clounds show that a storm is imminent.乌云预示暴风雨即将来临。
• The country is in imminent danger.国难当头。

3 contemplate   

vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视

参考例句：

• The possibility of war is too horrifying to contemplate.战争的可能性太可怕了，真不堪细想。
• The consequences would be too ghastly to contemplate.后果不堪设想。

4 advent   

n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临

参考例句：

• Swallows come by groups at the advent of spring. 春天来临时燕子成群飞来。
• The advent of the Euro will redefine Europe.欧元的出现将重新定义欧洲。

5 liturgy   

n.礼拜仪式

参考例句：

• A clergyman read the liturgy from the prayer-book.一名牧师照着祈祷书念祷文。
• The mass is the church a kind of liturgy.弥撒是教会的一种礼拜仪式。

6 joyfully   

adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地

参考例句：

• She tripped along joyfully as if treading on air. 她高兴地走着，脚底下轻飘飘的。
• During these first weeks she slaved joyfully. 在最初的几周里，她干得很高兴。

7 virgin   

n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的

参考例句：

• Have you ever been to a virgin forest?你去过原始森林吗？
• There are vast expanses of virgin land in the remote regions.在边远地区有大片大片未开垦的土地。