Pope Benedict XVI arrived in France Friday on a four-day visit that will take him from the presidential Elysee Palace in Paris to the shrine in Lourdes. This is Benedict's first trip to France as pontiff.
罗马天主教皇本笃十六世星期五开始抵达法国，进行为期4天的访问，他将造访爱丽舍宫和圣母院。这是本笃十六世第一次以教皇的身份访问法国。
To the notes of the Marseillaise, Pope Benedict was welcomed at Orly airport in Paris by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and First Lady Carla Bruni.
在法国国歌《马赛曲》的乐声中，教皇本笃十六世在巴黎奥利机场受到法国总统萨尔科齐和第一夫人卡拉.布鲁妮的欢迎。
At the presidential Elysee Palace, Mr. Sarkozy told the pope that, for the millions of French Catholics, Benedict's visit was a truly exceptional event. He added that: "In the secular republic that is France, all welcome you with respect."
在爱丽舍宫，萨尔科齐告诉教皇，他的到来对于法国数以百万计的天主教徒来说是一件盛事。他说：“在政教分离的法国，人们都竭诚欢迎您。”
The pope explained the major reason for this visit.
教皇解释他此次访问的主要目的。
The pope said he wanted to join pilgrims from around the world, who are converging on the Marian shrine of Lourdes to mark celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to a 14-year-old peasant girl.
教皇说，他这次来访是要和来自世界各地的朝圣者一同聚集到圣母院，纪念圣母玛丽亚向一名14岁的牧羊女显圣150周年。
The pope also spoke of his concerns in what he called these uncertain times of tension and conflict.
教皇同时也对目前这种紧张和冲突的令人心神不定的时代表示担忧。
Benedict said it is important to promote a unity that is able to guarantee the respect for national differences and different cultural traditions. He said one should not forget that national identity can only be achieved in openness toward other peoples and through solidarity with them.
教皇说，提倡一种团结，以便确保尊重民族差异和不同的文化传统，这一点非常重要。他说，人们不应该忘记，民族性只能通过对他人开放、通过与他人团结才能实现。
The pope's stay in the French capital coincides with the second anniversary of his speech about Islam that offended many Muslims. Pope Benedict, at the start of a four-day visit to France, has upheld the principle of separation of church and state - but also noted what he says is the importance of religion in society.
教皇访问法国首都的时间正好是他发表关于伊斯兰教的演说两周年。那次演说当时激怒了许多穆斯林。 |