Pope Prays For Peace in Christmas Message

 　　Pope Benedict prayed on Christmas for peace and stability around the world and called for an end to the many conflicts, which, he said, stain the earth with blood.  The Vatican also condemned¹ the Sunday bomb blasts at churches in Nigeria.

　　In his traditional Christmas message, Pope Benedict called for an end to the bloodshed in Syria, where he said, so much blood has already been shed. He urged full reconciliation² and stability in Iraq and Afghanistan and called for the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian dialogue.

　　The pope delivered his message "to the city and to the world" from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, overlooking a piazza³ packed with thousands of jubilant tourists and pilgrims.

　　He prayed that the Lord come to the aid of the world torn by so many conflicts. He then gave his blessing⁴ in dozens of languages.

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

　　The 84-year-old pope has been trying to conserve⁵ his strength during this busy time.  Using a mobile platform, he was wheeled up the central aisle⁶ of Saint Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve.

　　In his homily, Benedict urged humanity to see through the superficial glitter and commercialism of the Christmas season and to rediscover the real significance of the humble⁷ birth of Jesus.

　　The Vatican on Sunday also reacted to the bomb blasts at churches in Nigeria, saying these are a manifestation⁸ of blind and absurd terrorist violence that enflames hate, even in these days that should be of joy and peace.

　　Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi expressed the hope that the violence does not weaken the will of the Nigerian people to live peacefully and promote dialogue in their country.

1 condemned   

adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He condemned the hypocrisy of those politicians who do one thing and say another. 他谴责了那些说一套做一套的政客的虚伪。
• The policy has been condemned as a regressive step. 这项政策被认为是一种倒退而受到谴责。

2 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。

3 piazza   

n.广场；走廊

参考例句：

• Siena's main piazza was one of the sights of Italy.锡耶纳的主要广场是意大利的名胜之一。
• They walked out of the cafeteria,and across the piazzadj.他们走出自助餐厅,穿过广场。

4 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。

5 conserve   

vt.保存，保护，节约，节省，守恒，不灭

参考例句：

• He writes on both sides of the sheet to conserve paper.他在纸张的两面都写字以节省用纸。
• Conserve your energy,you'll need it!保存你的精力，你会用得着的！

6 aisle   

n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道

参考例句：

• The aisle was crammed with people.过道上挤满了人。
• The girl ushered me along the aisle to my seat.引座小姐带领我沿着通道到我的座位上去。

7 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

8 manifestation   

n.表现形式；表明；现象

参考例句：

• Her smile is a manifestation of joy.她的微笑是她快乐的表现。
• What we call mass is only another manifestation of energy.我们称之为质量的东西只是能量的另一种表现形态。