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The Journal
12 hours ago
- The Journal
I went to talk to people in Ballymena, and was told to make myself 'scarce' or there'd be trouble
Diarmuid Pepper in Ballymena ON THE STREETS of Ballymena, there's a reluctance among some people to talk to the media after two consecutive nights of rioting which has seen multiple homes set on fire and over 30 police officers injured. On Queen Street, I spoke to two women who were a few doors down from a man who was cleaning the shards from his house after most of his windows had been smashed the night before. 'We've never heard of you, we only speak to GB News,' said one of the women when I informed her I worked with The Journal . When I tried to speak to her friend, she told me again that 'we only speak to GB News' and she warned me to make myself 'scarce' or else there would be trouble. I left to speak to the man who was cleaning his house after last night's riots. The man, a Bulgarian national, didn't wish to be named, but told me he had received help from neighbours from his native country as well as Poland and Romania. No offers of help had been forthcoming from his Northern Irish neighbours, he said. He doesn't feel welcome any longer in the area, he said. It was at this point that he nodded over my shoulder. The woman who would only speak to GB News was now filming me and again announced that I was not welcome. 'The local residents understand' I left and spoke to a man further down the street who said he was part of a 'local regeneration group' but did not wish to be named. While the Bulgarian man within his eyeline had received no offers of help from his Northern Irish neighbours, the man from the local regeneration group nevertheless described his street as a 'good street with a good sense of neighbourhood'. I asked him, given the supposed good sense of neighbourhood, if he was disappointed to see his neighbour a few doors down cleaning shards of glass from his home, or to see a child's bedroom with a smashed window at another house nearby. A pram and wheelchair outside the smashed window of a child's bedroom in Ballymena Diarmuid Pepper / The Journal Diarmuid Pepper / The Journal / The Journal 'I condemn violence and the way it has been perpetrated but the general feeling is that somebody is going to have to listen to the feeling on the streets,' the man said. He said these 'feelings' have been around for years, but that an alleged sexual assault over the weekend was like a 'volcano erupting'. Advertisement On Monday, two teenage boys appeared in court charged with the sexual assault of a young teenage girl. The two teenagers spoke through a Romanian translator and their solicitor said they deny the charges. The man said 'these current problems will pass, there is a bigger problem and it cannot go back to the way it was'. He said the local area cannot facilitate current levels of immigration, before adding: 'That's not being racist'. He claimed there isn't enough housing or local amenities. Migration figures About 3.5% of the population in Northern Ireland are from an ethnic minority, compared to more than 18% in England and Wales and about 13% in Scotland. In the Mid and East Antrim council area, which includes Ballymena, the 2021 census said the area's population was just under 139,000 people. The net number of international migrants who have moved into the area between 2001 and 2022 was just 4,900. However, the man from the local regeneration group expressed hope that the area can 'once again be what it was in the 1970s'. He said businesses had been told to lock their gates for their own safety last night and that locals had been told to stand in their own front yard and that they would be safe. However, he said that on Monday night he was 'verbally abused' when he boarded up a neighbour's window. 'Maybe they thought that it was a foreign national's house and they surrounded me,' he said. When asked who it was that told businesses and locals what to do, he did not give a specific answer but said it was 'clear' last night that there was a 'sense of protecting locals' and that this wasn't there on Monday night. He said there were 'definitely elements of the protest on Monday night that weren't local'. In a press conference on Tuesday in Ballymena police station, the PSNI's Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said there was a 'degree of pre-planning' to the riots. 'This is just racism' Over on Clonavon Terrace, where four homes were burnt out on Monday night, a Romanian teenager told The Journal that the while the rioters claim to be fighting for the victim of the alleged sexual assault, they're 'just destroying their own town'. 'Where is the justice for this poor girl? This isn't justice for her, this is just racism destroying where we live. They don't care about the girl.' A Polish woman who lives in Clonavon Terrace was of the same opinion. 'Nobody cares about the girl, it's just vandalism,' she told The Journal . Related Reads Starmer and NI ministers condemn 'mindless' Ballymena violence after second night of disorder 'Racist thuggery': How a peaceful vigil in Ballymena turned into anti-immigration violence 'I'm okay with protesting after what happened here, but not like that. I've been here for 18 years and I deserve peace.' She said she felt there was support for the riots locally and that friends who lived nearby have moved as a result. Brett speaking to The Journal close to his home Diarmuid Pepper / The Journal Diarmuid Pepper / The Journal / The Journal Meanwhile, Brett (he asked us not to publish his surname) who owns a B&B just around the corner from where the worst of the rioting has taken place on Clonavon Terrace said that while his house was spared, his boat was not. 'They rammed the boat into a house, they used it as a ramming weapon to smash the door,' he said. Brett, who is originally from the US city of Detroit, told The Journal that he was perplexed by the level of misinformation surrounding the rioting online. 'This is my boat being used, and I saw people saying, 'go back to where you came from on the boat you sailed here on'.' How does a Romanian migrant family on welfare in Ballymena afford a speedboat with a 50 HP Mercury outboard engine? — NI SKIES (@ni_skies) June 10, 2025 He said he knows a lot of the foreign nationals in the area, including some from the Romanian community who he described as 'good people'. 'There's always bad apples in every religion or group, but now the Romanian community is tarnished with the one brush.' Another local man who didn't wish to be named described the rioting as 'madness'. 'People argue there's crime within the Romanian community, but the ones that I see are decent people who just want to get on with their life like everyone else.' However another local resident told me that while there are 'good Filipinos', he wanted all those from the Romanian community to be 'kicked out'. When asked about a Filipino home on the street which had been vandalised, he claimed it was 'the heat of the moment' and there had been 'confusion'. Numerous 'Filipino lives here' stickers were posted on front doors and windows Diarmuid Pepper / The Journal Diarmuid Pepper / The Journal / The Journal He said the local community had apologised to them and that this apology was accepted. However, it was not possible to put this claim to the Filipinos in question. The man told us they had to move out because of the extensive damage caused to their home. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
7 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Consumer groups lodge EU complaint against Shein over alleged 'deceptive' techniques
CONSUMER GROUPS HAVE lodged a complaint against Shein with the European Commission, accusing the Chinese-founded e-commerce platform of using 'deceptive' and illegal techniques that fuel overconsumption. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), together with 25 members from 21 countries, alleged that Shein uses so-called 'dark patterns' that 'push consumers into purchasing more than originally intended'. Such 'dark patterns' include fake discounts and pressure selling, when platforms provide false purchase deadlines. It also calls on Shein to stop its use of the infinite scroll and to provide evidence that 'low stock' messages are genuine. These practices also 'fuel the environmental and societal problems caused by the fast fashion industry', the BEUC said in a statement. Advertisement The complaint aims to complement the European Commission's own investigation into Shein's practices. The EU regulator warned Shein in late May over a series of practices that infringe the bloc's consumer laws, from fake discount deals to misleading product information. The commission gave Shein a month to reply and offer commitments on addressing the issues found during the probe, which was launched in February. The fast-fashion company could be fined if it does not address EU concerns. Shein said in a statement that 'European consumers would be better served if BEUC agreed to meet with us'. The online retailer, originally from China but now based in Singapore, said it was 'working constructively with national consumer protection authorities and with the European Commission to demonstrate our commitment to complying with EU laws and regulations'. - © AFP 2025 and with additional reporting from Diarmuid Pepper
The Journal
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Pope Leo XIV says he is 'deeply pained' by Gaza aid blockade in first Sunday address
LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago POPE LEO XIV appeared at the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica this afternoon for his first Sunday blessing and said he is 'deeply pained by what is happening' in Gaza. The first American pope today made his first public appearance since becoming pontiff from that same balcony where he was announced as the leader of the Catholic Church. He presided over the Regina Caeli (Queen of Heaven) prayer. Usually, the Angelus prayer would be delivered on a Sunday but during the Easter season – the 50-day period between Easter Sunday and Pentecost – this is replaced by the prayer dedicated to Mary. Large crowds were in attendance up to two hours before the prayer and those from Peru were in loud voice – Leo XIV is a Peruvian citizen and spent over 20 years in the country. Pope Leo XIV will make his Regina Coeli address in about an hour and a half. As you can see below, Peruvians are very happy with the new pope. Leo XIV became a Peruvian citizen after spending over 20 years in the country. @thejournal_ie — Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) May 11, 2025 Marching bands also made their way to the Square – it's a Jubilee Year within the Church and this weekend is the Jubilee of bands and popular music. It's a Jubilee Year within the Catholic Church and this weekend is the Jubilee of bands and popular music. The Mexican marching bands are out in full strength @thejournal_ie #PopeLeoXIV — Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) May 11, 2025 Addressing the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square, the new pope echoed the words of his predecessor Pope Francis said: 'In today's dramatic context of a third world war fought piecemeal, I too appeal to the powerful of the world by repeating these ever-relevant words: never again war!' 'I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people,' he said, urging that 'every effort be made to reach a true, just, and lasting peace as soon as possible'. He also said he is 'deeply pained by what is happening' in Gaza. 'Let the fighting cease immediately, let humanitarian aid be provided to the exhausted civilian population, and may all hostages be released,' said the new pope. Pope Leo XIV appeals for peace in Gaza and Ukraine, and between India and Pakistan. "I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people. Let everything possible be done to achieve an authentic, just and lasting peace as soon as possible. May all the prisoners be… — Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 11, 2025 He also welcomed the recent announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and added: 'I hope that, through the upcoming negotiations, a lasting agreement may soon be reached.' However, both India and Pakistan have accused each other of violating that ceasefire just hours after it was agreed . Meanwhile, there have only been two popes from English speaking countries; Pope Adrian IV in the 12th century and Pope Leo XIV. The new pope spoke no English when he was presented as pontiff on Thursday, and also spoke no English today. Perhaps he is mindful that as well as being pope to the global Church, he is also the Bishop of Rome and therefore speaking Italian is important. First Saturday as Pope Yesterday turned out out to be a busy day for the new pope, who made a visit to the tomb of his predecessor Pope Francis within the Santa Maria Maggiore. Pope Leo XIV praying before Francis's tomb this evening Vatican News Vatican News Vatican News published a photo of the white-robed American pope kneeling before Francis's simple marble tomb. Pope Leo XIV laying a rose at Francis's tomb Vatican News Vatican News Earlier on Saturday, less than 48 hours after he was elected Pope, Leo XIV also made his first visit outside the Vatican, travelling to the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano, just outside Rome. Pope Leo visits the shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, outside of Rome. The sanctuary has been run by the Augustinian Order (of which Pope Leo was a part) since the Middle Ages. — Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 10, 2025 The new pope also met with cardinals yesterday and revealed in this meeting that he chose the papal name Leo 'mainly because of Pope Leo XIII's historic Encyclical Rerum Novarum'. Advertisement This document, a response to the state of industrial society in the late 19 th century, explicitly outlined worker's rights to a fair wage, safe working conditions and the right to belong to a trade union. Pope Leo XIV during a meeting with the College of Cardinals today Vatican Media Vatican Media He remarked that today there is 'another industrial revolution in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour'. Meeting with the press Elsewhere, Leo XIV will meet the international press on Monday at the Paul VI Audience Hall in the Vatican. This first meeting with journalists can give a good indication as to how the new pope will carry himself. When Pope Benedict XVI greeted journalists for the first time in the Paul VI Hall, he took no questions and departed after less than 20 minutes. Pope Benedict XVI waves after speaking to members of the media at Paul VI Hall in the Vatican on 23 April, 2005 Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo But with Pope Francis in 2013, there was a very noticeable step change. He called for a 'poor Church for the poor' and explained that he chose his papal name because of St. Francis of Assisi, who Francis described as a 'man of poverty and a man of peace'. He also spoke about the conclave and revealed that one Cardinal approached Francis when he was elected and 'told me not to forget the poor'. 'And that word went in here,' said Francis, pointing to his head. And while Benedict from a script and promptly departed, Francis spoke mostly off the cuff, was making jokes and smiling throughout, and greeted the service dog of a visually impaired journalist. Pope Francis pets a guide dog for the visually impared during a meeting with journalists at Paul VI Hall. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Francis also offered a silent 'cordial' blessing to the journalists gathered, acknowledging that many gathered were not Catholic. 'Since many of you are not members of the Catholic Church, and others are not believers, I cordially give this blessing silently, to each of you, respecting the conscience of each, but in the knowledge that each of you is a child of God.' Pope Francis greeting former Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, on 9 Sept, 2023 Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Other items on new pope's agenda After meeting the press tomorrow, Leo XIV's next major item is a meeting with the Vatican's Diplomatic Corps on Friday, 16 May. And on Sunday, 18 May, an inaugural Mass will be held in St Peter's Square to formally mark the beginning of his pontificate. From there, Leo will hold his first General Audience, which are held on Wednesday mornings at St Peter's Square, And on Saturday 24 May he will meet with the Roman Curia, the government of the Catholic Church, and Vatican City State employees. The following day, Sunday 25 May, the new pope's routine will be settling into place and he will deliver a Regina Caeli prayer from St Peter's. Meanwhile, when a pope dies, all the cardinals and archbishops in charge of departments in the Roman Curia, including the secretary of state, lose their jobs. The Camerlengo however, Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell who effectively ran the Church during the 'sede vacante' period where there was no pope, was an exception to this. Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell seals the door to the papal bedroom and studio at the Vatican after the death of Pope Francis Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Leo XIV has said he wants the heads of the Roman Curia to continue in their roles 'on a provisional basis'. The Vatican press office added: 'Pope Leo XIV maintains the right to 'a certain amount of time for reflection, prayer, and dialogue' before making any 'definitive appointments or confirmations.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
'Did he just say Prevost?': St Peter's Square stunned by first American Pope, Leo XIV
Diarmuid Pepper in Rome ABOUT FIVE MINUTES before the white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, I was sitting in the shade, out of eyesight of the famous chimney. I felt a knot in my stomach – I had come all this way and missed the famous white smoke. However, it was a false alarm and when the real thing happened, I was as ready as could be. We have a pope! Habemus papam! @thejournal_ie — Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) May 8, 2025 Noise erupted in the Square, babies were hoisted into the air, and applause rose up. It was then over an hour before the new pope came to the central balcony of the Basilica. 'Is it Tagle?' asked one person, in reference to one of the media's front-runners, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, dubbed the 'Asian Francis'. 'I think it's Zuppi,' said a priest, in reference to Matteo Zuppi. Us Irish are everywhere and beside me I heard an Irish accent. As we awaited the new pope from the central balcony, he told me that it felt 'spiritual' to see the white smoke. Just moments after the white smoke, I bumped into an Irishman! He says he's not a devout Catholic but was straight on the phone to mam back at home! @thejournal_ie — Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) May 8, 2025 'I wouldn't class myself as a once-a-week Mass goer, but my mother is and the first thing I did was give her a quick ring and say, 'Ma, turn on your camera on WhatsApp so I can show you the smoke. 'It's just overwhelming and absolutely fabulous and a once-in-a-lifetime for somebody not from here. 'It's something that you have to tick off on your bucket list.' He remarked that whoever emerged from the balcony would 'have his work cut out for him'. 'The time we are in, hopefully he can unite the people and bring some kind of peace to this world.' Cardinal Dominique Mamberti then emerged to say the famous 'Habemus papam' – 'we have a pope' in Latin. He then announced that it was a Cardinal by the name of Robert Prevost who was elected to the office. 'Did he just say Prevost?' asked one person. Advertisement Cardinal Mamberti then announced papal name, Leo XIV. 'Did he say Leo?' No one, including myself, seemed to know who he was – the name of Cardinal Robert Prevost didn't appear on any list of 'papabile' that I had read. However, some young Americans close to me seemed to know the score after looking him up on their phone. 'He's spent a lot of time working in Peru.' I spoke to them after Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Prevost, had went back into St Peter's. These American guys beside me were able to give me a crash course on Leo XIV! @thejournal_ie — Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) May 8, 2025 'He wasn't a name that we were expecting at all,' said one of the men. 'But he's a name we're very happy to hear.' The other man remarked that he came for the current Jubilee Year within the Church and did not expect to be here in Rome for a conclave. He also didn't expect it to end so soon. 'I was expecting it to go on maybe into next week, so it's really crazy to be here for the new pope.' When the new pope went back inside St Peter's Basilica, everyone with an American flag found themselves mobbed by the media. A brief snippet of how popular with USA flags were after the election of the first American Pope, Leo XIV @thejournal_ie — Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) May 8, 2025 I myself grabbed a quick word with Andrea Gallardo from Texas. 'I don't speak Italian but when the people around me told me he was American, I was just so excited. 'I was like, 'oh my God', just knowing that our new pope is from the same place as I am is just very exciting.' Spoke to Angela from Texas just after Leo XIV went back inside the Vatican @thejournal_ie — Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) May 8, 2025 She said she never heard of Cardinal Prevost as being a front-runner and that she assumed one of those named as a front-runner would become pope. 'But when I found out that it was actually an American pope, I was like, 'okay, this is crazy'.' She said she was 'born and raised Catholic' and so it was special to be there for the white smoke and to see the first American pope. Related Reads 'Praying we get the right pope for the right time': The Irish camping out in St Peter's Square The black smoke caught everyone off guard, including ourselves and an ex-US presidential hopeful Irish archbishop who heads abuse investigations says tackling crisis will top next pope's agenda Andrea Gallardo from Texas posting outside St Peter's Square with an American flag after Pope Leo XIV appeared Diarmuid Pepper / The Journal Diarmuid Pepper / The Journal / The Journal Meanwhile, Vatican observers on either side of the political divide are trying to stake their claim. Some call him a liberal, while others enjoyed the fact that he wore more traditional papal attire, perhaps a nod to a return to traditionalism and away from the progressivism of Francis. The moment Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Leo XIV, the first American pope, appeared on the central balcony of St Peter's Square @thejournal_ie — Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) May 8, 2025 And once the crowds had started to disperse, I met more Irish people in the Square. Father Mark English, a priest in Co Meath, was joined by Aifric and Roisin. Fr English was thankfully on hand to deliver a crash course in who the new pope is. More Irish reaction from St Peter's Square! @thejournal_ie — Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) May 8, 2025 He said it was extraordinary to be in the Square and noted that Leo XIV was an Augustinian priest and a missionary priest in South America. He was also a Bishop in Peru and headed the Augustinian Order in Rome, and was also appointed by Francis to the body that oversees who is chosen as a bishop. 'He certainly was a man that was going to be in the reckoning if they were looking for a compromise candidate,' said Fr English. However, when it was put to Fr English that Leo XIV is a 'liberal', he shook his head and instead described him as a 'unifying pope, who will bring everyone together'. 'He is a steady man to continue on the onward journey, with the inspiration of the previous popes as well.' Meanwhile, Roisin said she organised to come over for the conclave with other young Catholics from Ireland 'to see the global Church in action', while Aifric said 'there was a real sense of excitement and joy' throughout. 'At one point we're looking at a little baby bird being fed and then the next thing you know, the smoke is coming out and everyone is going crazy and the bells start to ring.' And as for the man himself, he opened with 'peace be with you'. A Vatican spokesperson said this was in keeping with the Easter message, as these were the first words the Risen Jesus said to the disciples, according to John's Gospel, when he found them in hiding following his crucifixion. He added: 'God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail.' He also thanked Francis, as well as the cardinals who elected him. And in a nod to Francis, who began the historic Synod on Synodality, Leo XIV called for remarked that he wants a 'synodal Church'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
'Praying we get the right pope for the right time': The Irish camping out in St Peter's Square
Diarmuid Pepper in Rome IN ST PETER'S Square, flags from all over the world can be seen as the faithful stare at the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and await the smoke signals from the conclave. But it wasn't a flag which alerted The Journal to Harry Mulqueen, from Tulla in Co Clare. Rather, he was spotted because he was wearing a pair of O'Neill shorts while sitting beneath one of the bollards in St Peter's Square. He said he decided 'on a whim' a few weeks ago to come to Rome to see the conclave. 'I was thinking about it when Pope Francis got a double case of pneumonia,' said Mulqueen, 'and I was thinking to myself, 'I'll have a trip over'. 'And then a few days ago, I spent half my savings and decided to come here.' Spotted a pair of @ONeills1918 shorts so knew it was more than likely to be an Irish person! Harry from Clare is over more so to be a part of the history of it all but has some favourites in mind that he'd like to see emerge from the central balcony of St Peter's @thejournal_ie — Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) May 8, 2025 As for who he would like to see emerge from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica, Mulqueen said he 'wouldn't mind seeing a new pope like Matteo Zuppi or Pierbattista Pizzaballa'. Both men are Italian and while around 80% of popes have been Italian, including an unbroken 450-year reign, there hasn't been an Italian pope since Pope John Paul I in 1978. Indeed, there was applause yesterday in the Square when Zuppi and Pizzaballa appeared on the big screens to swear their oath of secrecy in the Sistine Chapel. There has so far been applause for Luis Antonio Tagle, Matteo Zuppi, and some small applause for Pierbattista Pizzaball, the head of the Church in the Middle East @thejournal_ie — Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) May 7, 2025 Mulqueen said he'd like to see a 'liberal pope that Francis would be a fan of'. Given that he was listing off 'papabile' , I asked Mulqueen if he was because he was a Catholic or if he came to the Vatican to take in the history of the occasion. 'I'd say I'm more here for the history of it all, it's a very big event. Advertisement 'If it's a young pope, like Pizzaballa who is 60, he will have a long reign and a lot of influence. 'I'm here more for the history. I wouldn't call myself a particularly passionate Catholic, but it is there, I've been brought up in the Catholic environment in Ireland.' Mulqueen said he arrived at the Square early this morning and that he is sustaining himself on a packet of breakfast bars as he awaits the smoke. 'I've been here since 12pm and my headphones are about to die, but I'll wait on.' When asked about the prospect of seeing white smoke this evening, Mulqueen remarked that he can remember Francis's election in 2013. 'I was six or seven, and I remember the cheer. I didn't understand what was going on, but it was great, so I'll be amazed when that happens, it'll be class.' Joan Sheehy from Dublin was also in the Square, with an Irish flag around her shoulders. She came to Rome 'specifically for the conclave'. 'I had been on my holidays over Easter, so when I arrived back to work on Monday morning, as soon as they announced the date of the conclave, I had to tell my employer I was off again. 'I just wanted to be here, it's been on my bucket list and I figured the next time I'd be too old, or I might not even be around, so I had to come now.' Got speaking to Joan Sheehy from Dublin, who came just for the conclave and had to boom a few days off for the occasion. @thejournal_ie — Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) May 8, 2025 When asked if she was here to witness history, like Mulqueen, or if she was here as a practicing Catholic, Sheehy said she is 'very much a practicing Catholic and it means a lot to me to be here'. 'I've always wanted to see the white smoke come out of the chimney, rather than watch it on my TV at home. 'And of course, to see the new pope, it's a blessing that I could be here. 'And it is a moment of history as well but it's lovely to connect with like-minded people who understand the importance of this occasion.' Sheehy had picked a great spot to witness the occasion, right up against a barrier just off the Basilica. Related Reads The black smoke caught everyone off guard, including ourselves and an ex-US presidential hopeful Explainer: When will we see the white smoke and a new pope? Explainer: The extreme measures taken to ensure the secrecy of the conclave 'I waited until 9pm last night and you couldn't see the smoke by the time it came out, you could only see it from the big screens. 'So I came back this morning at 8am, so I'm in it for the long haul and if I have to come back tomorrow, then I'll do that as well.' More from that interview with Joan. @thejournal_ie — Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) May 8, 2025 While Sheehy said she will return tomorrow if need be to see the smoke, recent history suggests she will see that famous white smoke today. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was elected on the fourth ballot (the first ballot of the first afternoon of voting) Francis meanwhile was elected on the fifth ballot (the second ballot of the first afternoon of voting). 'I'm hopeful it will happen today and I do have a couple of favourites.' Sheehy said she wants a pope who will continue the work of Francis 'around inclusivity, reaching out to the poor and to migrants and the marginalised'. She said Francis's 2015 encyclical, Laudato si', subtitled 'on care for our common home', 'really struck a chord with me'. Like Mulqueen, she listed Zuppi as a favourite of hers. She also listed Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines as one of her favoured candidates. 'It would be amazing to see the first Asian Pope, but it's up to the Holy Spirit,' said Sheehy. 'What can I say? We can all have our favourites but really, I'm just praying that we get the right pope for the right time, for all the people, that's really what I want.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
