From VOA Learning English, this is IN THE NEWS in Special English.
这里是美国之音慢速英语新闻报道。
Pope Benedict gave his last public blessing this week to tens of thousands of people in Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican, the church's administrative center. The resignation of the leader of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church took effect Thursday.
本周，教皇本笃十六世在罗马天主教会行政中心梵蒂冈圣彼得广场向数万人发表他最后一次公开布道。这位全球罗马天主教会的领导人于本周四正式辞职。
On Wednesday, the 85-year-old leader took one final ride through the square in his open vehicle. He stopped at times to bless a baby. Later he told the crowd that he has been through some moments that were "not easy." The pope said, "To love the Church also means having the courage to take difficult decisions." Some observers said the comment was a reply to his surprising decision to resign.
周三，这位85岁的领导人乘坐敞篷车最后一次穿越广场。他数次停下来赐福于婴孩，随后他对众人表示自己经历了一些艰难时刻。教皇说，“热爱教会也意味着要勇于做出艰难的决定。”一些观察人士表示，这番话是他对自己出人意料地决定辞职的回复。
Benedict recognized that his decision was not expected. He told Catholic believers that he made the move with what he called "profound serenity of spirit." The most recent papal resignation was almost 600 years ago, when Pope Gregory the Twelfth stepped down.
本笃十六世承认这个决定出人意料。他对天主教徒表示，他以一种平静深远的精神来做出此番决定。最近一次罗马教皇辞职是600年前教皇格里高利十二世辞职。
Father Thomas Rosica, the director of a Catholic television network in Canada, was among those listening to Benedict's final address. Father Rosica says the pope's decision to resign is a way of teaching Catholics about surrender.
Thomas Rosica神父是加拿大一家天主教电视网的负责人，他是本笃十六世最后一次布道的聆听者之一。Rosica神父表示，“教皇的辞职决定是在教天主教徒学会放弃。”
"Pope John Paul II taught us the profound lesson of his papacy, especially in the final years, about suffering and dying. Pope Benedict has taught us another lesson. He's taught us about surrender. We don't cling to power and authority and office and privilege, when our energies are no longer there."
“教皇约翰·保罗二世在位期间教给了我们深刻的道理，特别是在他生命最后几年教给我们关于痛苦和死亡的道理。教皇本笃十六世教给了我们另一个道理，他教会我们学会放弃。当我们精力不济时，不要执着于权力、威信、神职和特权。”
Benedict said the Church had troubles and "stormy waters" during his eight-year leadership. But, he said God will not let the institution sink. He urged all Catholics to always put the good of the Catholic Church before their own personal desires.
本笃十六世表示，在他8年任职期间，教会经历了困难和险境。但他表示，上帝不会让教会沉没。他督促所有天主教徒始终将天主教会的美德置于个人欲望之前。
The pope has had to answer accusations of corruption and sexual abuse by Catholic clergy members. He has dealt with the leak of thousands of private documents that reportedly show dishonor in the church. And, there has been a decrease in the Catholic faith within Europe.
教皇曾不得不回应天主教神职人员腐败和性虐待的指控，并处理了数千份私密文件泄密的事件，据说这些文件展示了教会不光彩的一面。此外欧洲范围内对天主教的信仰也出现了下降。
Before leaving on Thursday, Benedict said goodbye in private to Roman Catholic cardinals. He urged these high-level officials to unite as they prepare to choose the next pope among their number.
在周四离职之前，本笃十六世还私下向罗马天主教枢机主教告别。他督促这些高级神职人员团结一致，他们将在这些成员中间选出下任教皇。
Pope Benedict will now be called "pope emeritus" and continue to wear the white clothing he wore while serving as pope. Many people have criticized the decision to let him stay in the Vatican. They say his presence could create tension with the new ruling pope. Pope Benedict has said he plans to live quietly in prayer and meditation in his words, "hidden to the world." He also promised to show "unconditional reverence and obedience" to the next pope.
本笃十六世现在将被称为“名誉教皇”，并继续身着作为教皇时穿着的白色法衣。许多人批评让他继续留在梵蒂冈的这一决定，称这会在他和新教皇之间制造紧张。教皇本笃十六世表示他准备安安静静地祷告和沉思，用他的话来说是“隐于世”。他还承诺“无条件地尊敬和服从”下任教皇。
The Pope left the Vatican Thursday by helicopter and arrived at his new temporary home, Castel Gandolfo, south of the Vatican. He will return to the Vatican and live in what is called a convent in a few months.
周四，教皇乘坐直升飞机离开梵蒂冈，抵达梵蒂冈南部甘道夫城堡这一新的临时住所。数月后他将回到梵蒂冈，住进一家修道院。
In a final message on his official Twitter account, the leader of the world's more than one billion Catholics thanked his followers for their "love and support." He also wrote, "May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the center of your lives."
在他Twitter官方帐号的最后一则消息中，这位全球十多亿天主教徒的领袖对信众的爱戴和支持表示感谢。他还写道，“愿你们永远享受将救世主放在生活中心的快乐。”
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