2007年VOA标准英语-Pope Celebrates 80th Birthday
时间：2019-02-07 作者：英语课 分类：2007年VOA标准英语（四月）
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 celebrated 1 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 followers 2 joined the pope in prayers of thanks to God for his long life. Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.
Cardinals 4, 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.
Cardinal 3 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 ministry 5 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 gratitude 6 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 dedication 7.
- 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。
- 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。
- 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。
- 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。
- 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。
- 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。
- 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。