2007年VOA标准英语-Pope Celebrates 80th Birthday

By Sabina Castelfranco
Rome
15 April 2007

A giant birthday banner is seen in the background as Pope Benedict XVI is driven through the crowd at the end of his birthday Mass at the Vatican, 15 Apr 2007

Pope Benedict XVI celebrated¹ his 80th birthday a day early with a Mass in his honor Sunday in a sunny St. Peter's Square. Tens of thousands of faithful followers² joined the pope in prayers of thanks to God for his long life. Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.

Cardinals⁴, priests and tens of thousands of faithful followers joined Pope Benedict for a special birthday Mass in Saint Peter's Square. Pope Benedict, who was born April 16 1927, in Marktl Am Inn, a riverside town in the Bavaria region of Germany, celebrates his 80th birthday on Monday.

Among the crowd in the square were also some of Pope Benedict's fellow countrymen and women in traditional Bavarian dress. The first to address the crowd and the pope at the start of the ceremony was the dean of the College of Cardinals, Angelo Sodano.

Cardinal³ Sodano said the pope's 80th birthday is reason for spiritual happiness for all. He urged the pope to continue in his guidance with love.

In his homily, the pope said the faithful had gathered to reflect on what he called his "not brief" life.

The pope thanked God for all his gifts. The pope said he experienced the significance of the family. He thanked God for his brother and sister who, with their help, were close to him during the course of his life.

Pope Benedict also recalled his calling to the priestly ministry⁵ and his election as pope.

Referring to his election in 2005, the Pope said God had brought him new help to deal with the growing weight of responsibility.

Pope Benedict said that knowing that many pray for him gives him joy, and he expressed gratitude⁶ to those who put up with his shortcomings. He then thanked God and all of the faithful and pledged to carry out his mission with increasing dedication⁷.

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。

3 cardinal   

n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的

参考例句：

• This is a matter of cardinal significance.这是非常重要的事。
• The Cardinal coloured with vexation. 红衣主教感到恼火，脸涨得通红。

4 cardinals   

红衣主教( cardinal的名词复数 )； 红衣凤头鸟（见于北美，雄鸟为鲜红色）； 基数

参考例句：

• cardinals in scarlet robes 身披红袍的枢机主教
• A conclave of cardinals was held to elect the new Pope. 红衣主教团举行了秘密会议来选举新教皇。

5 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

6 gratitude   

adj.感激，感谢

参考例句：

• I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
• She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。

7 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。