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.

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.”

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.

All matches complete as season concludes

THE 2024/25 season of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – known as The Friendly League – has now officially concluded, with all clubs completing their outstanding fixtures.

The past few weeks saw the following catch-up matches played:

• Carew 8–2 Llanteg
• St Johns 8–2 Cosheston
• Hundleton 8–2 Reynalton
• Reynalton 9–1 Lamphey
• Cosheston 10–0 Kilgetty
• East Williamston 9–1 Kilgetty

Final League Table (2024/25 Season)

Congratulations to East Williamston, who finish the season as clear champions with an impressive 158 points and a shot difference of +313.

A MAJOR search and rescue operation is under way in the Irish Sea after a man went overboard from a UK-registered yacht late on Saturday night (Apr 19).

The vessel, which was sailing from Brighton to Swansea via Falmouth, sent a 999 call to the Irish Coast Guard at approximately 10:55pm. The distress call was made by another person on board the yacht, who reported the man missing around 16 nautical miles south of Dunmore East, County Waterford.

The incident initially led to some confusion about the vessel’s position, but authorities later confirmed the yacht was off the coast of Ceann Heilbhic, near Dunmore East, rather than near Swansea.

The Irish Coast Guard launched an immediate multi-agency search operation, with extensive resources deployed overnight and into Sunday morning.

Rescue helicopters R117 from Waterford and R116 from Dublin were scrambled alongside a fixed-wing aircraft from HM Coastguard in the UK. RNLI lifeboats from Dunmore East, Kilmore Quay, and Ballycotton were also launched to join the search.

Weather conditions in the area have been described as calm, which is aiding the ongoing efforts.

The individual who raised the alarm has since been brought safely ashore. However, there has been no confirmed sighting of the missing man, whose identity has not yet been released.

A spokesperson for the Irish Coast Guard confirmed that the Dublin-based Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre is continuing to lead the operation and is coordinating all available assets.

As of Sunday afternoon (Apr 20), the man had not been located and the search remains active.

The Herald understands that further updates will be issued as the situation develops.