News

Pope Francis Dies at 88: Tributes pour in for a Pontiff of compassion and reform

Published

1 month ago

April 21, 2025

REQUIEM MASSES TO BE HELD ACROSS WALES

POPE FRANCIS, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church and a transformative figure in global religious life, died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. The Vatican announced that he passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was elected pope in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

He was the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas. His papacy was marked by a focus on humility, social justice, and outreach to marginalised communities. He was known for his efforts to reform the Vatican bureaucracy, address the clerical sexual abuse crisis, and promote interfaith dialogue.

In recent months, Pope Francis faced health challenges, including a hospitalisation in February 2025 for bronchitis and pneumonia. Despite his illness, he made a final public appearance on Easter Sunday, delivering a blessing from a wheelchair in St. Peter’s Square.

In Wales, Catholic communities are mourning his passing.

ViDEO: VIA NEW YORK POST

Churches across the country are holding Requiem Masses in his honour.

St David’s Cathedral in Cardiff has scheduled special services, inviting the faithful to pray for the repose of the Pope’s soul. Similarly, parishes in Wrexham and Menevia dioceses are organising memorial liturgies.

Archbishop Mark O’Toole of Cardiff stated, “Pope Francis was a shepherd to us all, embodying humility and compassion. His commitment to social justice and care for the marginalised resonated deeply within our communities.”

First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis this morning.

“As First Minister of Wales, and as a Christian, I offer my deepest condolences to the Catholic community in Wales and around the world.

“Pope Francis led with unwavering humility, courage and profound compassion. Throughout his papacy, he was a tireless advocate for the poor, the marginalised and the displaced. He reminded us all that the fight against poverty, climate change and injustice is not just a political or social task, but a moral calling. His message was clear: every person, regardless of background, race, or sexuality, deserves dignity, respect and love.

“His famous call to ‘not judge, but walk with’ exemplified a faith rooted in love, empathy and understanding for all people, focusing on compassion rather than condemnation.

“In his final months, he spoke with moral clarity, condemning what he referred to as the ‘genocide’ in Gaza, urging the world to recognise the humanity of all people and to choose peace over destruction.

“In a world that often feels divided, Pope Francis built bridges of unity and his legacy will endure in the lives he touched and the values he championed – values that continue to inspire us here in Wales.

“On behalf of the Welsh Government, I offer our deepest sympathies to all those mourning his loss. May he rest in peace, and may his example continue to guide and inspire us all.”

Global leaders have expressed condolences, highlighting Pope Francis’s commitment to compassion, peace, and interfaith dialogue. French President Emmanuel Macron described him as “a man of humility, on the side of the most vulnerable and most fragile,” while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered him as “a symbol of compassion and spiritual courage.”

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, stated: “The death of Pope Francis brings great sadness to so many around the world, both within the Catholic Church and in societies in general. A voice proclaiming the innate dignity of every human being, especially those who are poor or marginalised, is now silent.”

King Charles III, as the head of the Church of England, issued a personal statement: “His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.”

Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, reflected on Pope Francis’s ecumenical efforts: “Francis’s whole life and ministry was centred on Jesus who comes among us not to be served, but to serve. We saw that compellingly in Francis’s service of the poor, his love of neighbour especially the displaced, migrant, the asylum seeker, his deep compassion for the well-being of the earth and his desire to lead and build the church in new ways.”

The Vatican has initiated a nine-day mourning period, and funeral arrangements are underway. A conclave to elect his successor is anticipated to begin between May 6 and May 11, 2025.

Pope Francis’s legacy includes significant reforms within the Church, advocacy for environmental issues, and efforts to modernise the institution while maintaining its core teachings.

News

Emergency services respond to person in water at Milford Haven

Published

1 hour ago

May 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

EMERGENCY services were called to Milford Haven in the early hours of Friday morning (May 24) after reports of a person in difficulty in the water near Smokehouse Quay.

The incident was reported at around 12:50am, with the individual said to be floating on their back approximately 50 metres from the quay wall. Police officers were first on the scene and began efforts to reach the person.

Angle RNLI was tasked and the crew were preparing to launch when a stand-down message was received just eight minutes later, confirming that the individual had been successfully recovered and was in the care of police officers.

Dale Coastguard Rescue Team also attended the incident. No further assistance was required and the RNLI crew returned to station shortly after 1:15am.

Community

Public invited to explore Pembroke Port at Open Day and Stakeholder Meeting

Published

14 hours ago

May 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MEMBERS of the public are being invited to go behind the scenes at Pembroke Port as part of a special Open Day and Annual Stakeholder Meeting hosted by the Port of Milford Haven.

The event will take place on Wednesday, 18 June, at Catalina House, Pembroke Dock (SA72 6JD), offering a unique opportunity to discover the inner workings of one of Wales’ busiest ports.

Running from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, the Open Day will include guided bus tours around the site, giving visitors a rare, close-up look at port operations and activities across the facility. Port staff, local business representatives, and partners from across the supply chain will also be on hand to discuss their work and answer questions.

From 6:00pm to 7:30pm, the Port’s Annual Stakeholder Meeting will be held, where attendees will hear updates from the Chair and Chief Executive, meet members of the Board and senior management, and take part in a Q&A session. Questions can be submitted in advance via email to [email protected].

Throughout the day, visitors can explore the wide-ranging roles of the Port of Milford Haven – from commercial marine services and energy sector support to community initiatives and leisure activities. A number of external organisations will also be present, including emergency services, marine experts, and conservation groups highlighting Pembrokeshire’s diverse wildlife.

Crime

Milford Haven mother sentenced over shocking neglect case

Published

15 hours ago

May 23, 2025

Court Reporter

Faeces on walls, maggots in bedding: Judge brands home ”a pigsty’

A PEMBROKESHIRE mother has avoided an immediate prison sentence after admitting to neglecting her children in a home described by a judge as “appalling”.

The woman – who cannot be named to protect the identity of her children – appeared before Swansea Crown Court on two counts of wilful child neglect. The court heard that the conditions inside the family’s Milford Haven property were so dire that social services deemed it unfit for habitation.

The case came to light after repeated concerns were raised by the children’s schools, who had flagged ongoing issues with hygiene and wellbeing dating back to 2019. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that teachers noted a persistent foul smell, dirty fingernails, unwashed lunchboxes, and children frequently arriving at school tired and without sufficient food.

In one disturbing incident, a child told a teacher they were unable to sleep due to maggots in their bed. Another was seen using a mouldy towel after swimming lessons. When asked to describe their home, the children said their mother could not enter their bedrooms because of the mess.

On June 14 last year, officers from Pembrokeshire County Council visited the property following a school referral. What they discovered was described as appalling: faeces smeared on walls and floors upstairs, rubbish and flies in the children’s rooms, and a fridge full of expired food. A broken washing machine blocked the dining room.

Social workers instructed the family to temporarily move in with relatives. However, a follow-up inspection revealed little had changed, and the mother was subsequently arrested.

During police interview, she admitted the situation had deteriorated, claiming she had become “nose-blind” to the smell and had “put her head in the sand like an ostrich”.

Hannah George, defending, said her client was deeply ashamed and had taken steps to improve her situation following the loss of a close family member. The court was told the mother, who is in her thirties and has no previous convictions, had engaged with social services, mental health teams, and completed several parenting courses.

Although she no longer has custody of her children, social services are planning a phased return under supervision.

Judge Paul Thomas KC condemned the conditions as “a pigsty” and handed the woman a 21-month sentence, suspended for two years. She must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work and attend 30 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.