2014届高考英语考前突破阅读理解能力：《教皇弗朗西斯将首次致圣诞贺词》.docVIP

教皇弗朗西斯将首次致圣诞贺词 Pope Francis is set to make his first Christmas address as pontiff in front of thousands of pilgrims in St Peters Square in the Vatican. 教皇弗朗西斯将在梵蒂冈的圣彼得广场上首次向成千上万的朝圣者致圣诞贺词。 Pope Francis gave his first Christmas Eve Mass as pontiff on Tuesday ? The Argentine pope is expected to tackle themes such as global poverty, which he has focused on since taking over from Benedict in March this year. ? Last year Benedict used his Christmas address to call for peace in Syria. ? Christians around the world are celebrating Christmas, which marks the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. ? On Tuesday evening thousands gathered in Bethlehems Manger Square for Christmas Eve celebrations. ? The nearby Church of the Nativity sits on the spot where Jesus is said to have been born. ? Correspondents said it was the biggest crowd to attend the event in years. ? Latin Patriarch Archbishop Fouad Twal, the most senior Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, called on the crowd to be brothers with each other. ? Pope Francis celebrated his first Christmas Eve Mass since becoming pontiff at St Peters Basilica. ? In a short homily（训诫）, Francis said that every Christian can choose between darkness and light, between love and hate. ? If we love God and our brothers and sisters, we walk in the light; but if our heart is closed, if we are dominated by pride, deceit, self-seeking, then darkness falls within us and around us, he said. ? On Christmas Day, Francis will deliver his Christmas message from the basilicas central balcony overlooking St Peters Square.