News

American cardinal elected new Pope

Published

7 months ago

May 9, 2025

Luke Sinclair

Leo XIV becomes first US pontiff in Catholic Church history

AN AMERICAN cardinal has been elected as the new Pope, marking a historic moment for the Roman Catholic Church.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old prelate from Chicago, was chosen by the conclave of cardinals on today, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. His election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21, who led the Church for more than a decade and was widely praised for his progressive stance on social issues.

White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 6:07pm local time, confirming that the 133 participating cardinal-electors had agreed upon a successor after two days of closed-door voting.

Pope Leo XIV addressed thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square with a message of “peace and unity,” thanking his predecessor and calling for compassion and dialogue in a time of global conflict and spiritual uncertainty.

The Herald understands that Cardinal Prevost was widely respected for his work as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and for his earlier missionary work in Peru. His election is being seen as a move to bridge divides within the Church and extend outreach to the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

Born in Chicago to a French-Italian father and a Spanish mother, Leo XIV studied mathematics before joining the Order of St Augustine. His rise through the Vatican ranks was steady but marked by quiet diplomacy and a reputation for listening.

His appointment comes at a critical time. The Catholic Church continues to grapple with internal tensions over doctrine, the aftermath of clerical abuse scandals, and falling attendance in many Western nations.

Leo XIV’s first full day as pontiff will include private meetings with senior clergy and preparations for his formal inauguration Mass, expected to take place next week.

It is the first time in nearly 2,000 years of papal history that a Pope has come from the United States. While some traditionalists may be uneasy about the shift, many inside and outside the Church have welcomed the decision as a fresh chapter for Catholicism.

Archbishop Mark O’Toole recorded a special message in response to the election of Pope Leo XIV, following last night’s election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Bishop of Rome.

“We were all deeply overjoyed to see the election of our new Pope, Leo XIV,” said Archbishop Mark. “His first words to us, ‘Peace be with you all,’ are deeply touching. As he himself indicated, these were the words of the Risen Christ.”

The Archbishop of Cardiff reflected on the spiritual importance of this moment for the Church. “The Pope’s first task is to announce to us the Good News of Jesus Christ and to be for us a sign of unity and deep connection with our Blessed Lord. For the last 19 days since the death of our beloved Pope Francis, the Church has felt somewhat bereft. Now, the Church is once more complete – and what a beloved Holy Father Pope Leo will be for us.”

Archbishop Mark highlighted Pope Leo’s wide-ranging pastoral and global experience, noting his ministry in both North and Latin America, and his 12 years in Rome as Prior General of the worldwide Augustinian Order.

“He has huge global experience,” said Archbishop Mark. “And I know he will bring this to bear on his new ministry. He is someone in continuity with the ministry of Pope Francis – committed to dialogue, bridge-building, and reaching out to those who feel far from God. Yet, with his choice of vesture—the red cape and priestly stole—he also reminds us of the continuity with the deeper traditions of our faith and the long line of his predecessors.”

Describing the symbolism of the red robes worn during his first appearance, the Archbishop added: “They are a sign to us of the richness, the fruit, and the witness of the martyrs. In wearing them, Pope Leo reminds us that he is not just the successor of Pope Francis, but the successor of St Peter – the one who gave his life for Christ.”

Archbishop Mark also offered a personal recollection: “Just two weeks ago, I attended the funeral of Pope Francis. The day before, I had the privilege of praying in St Peter’s before his body. Cardinal Prevost – as he was then – was entering St Peter’s. I said to him, ‘You are very much in my prayers in these days.’ He smiled and said, ‘You mustn’t believe all you read in the newspapers.’ I replied, ‘Nevertheless, you have my prayers.’”

“Whenever I have met him, he has struck me as a man of deep humility, of genuine goodness, a great listener, a person of immense integrity, strong intellect, and very deep faith.”

As the Church begins this new chapter under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV, Archbishop Mark concluded with heartfelt prayer: “We ask the Lord to bless him and give him all the graces and gifts he needs to shepherd our Church and to be a sign of Jesus Christ in our world. He is indeed a Pope for all.”

A new era begins at the Vatican – and the eyes of the world are watching.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

55 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

60 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.