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Vatican recounts Pope Francis’ final hours as funeral set for Saturday

The Greek Herald
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Vatican recounts Pope Francis’ final hours as funeral set for Saturday

Cardinals convened Tuesday, April 22, for the first time since the death of Pope Francis, announcing that his funeral will be held Saturday, April 26, at 10 am in St. Peter’s Square (6 pm AEST).

The service will be celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. Francis, the first Latin American pope, died Monday at age 88 following a stroke.

Beginning Wednesday, Pope Francis will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing the faithful to pay their final respects. Vatican officials began saying their goodbyes Monday evening.

“He truly gave everything he had, up to the end,” said Sister Nathalie Becquart, one of the Vatican’s highest-ranking women.

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi highlighted Francis’ legacy of promoting women’s roles in the Church as among his most enduring contributions.

The funeral is expected to draw tens of thousands of mourners. Among those planning to attend are US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Argentine President Javier Milei.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Governor-General Sam Mostyn, currently returning from Anzac Day commemorations in Gallipoli, would be a fitting representative.

Pilgrims have been making their way to St Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects to the Pope. Photo: AP.

Rome has begun ramping up security. Police on foot, horseback, and in boats were seen patrolling St. Peter’s Square and surrounding areas, already busy with Easter tourists. A separate youth jubilee mass on Sunday is expected to bring even more visitors to the city.

Pope Francis made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, delivering his Urbi et Orbi blessing from the same loggia where he was first introduced as pope on March 13, 2013. Afterward, he surprised the crowd with a ride through the square in his popemobile.

Among his last words were a heartfelt thanks to his personal healthcare assistant, Massimiliano Strappetti: “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.”

Strappetti had remained by the Pope’s side through his recent 38-day hospitalisation and recovery.

Francis died peacefully early Monday morning after falling into a coma at the Casa Santa Marta, his residence. Those present said he showed no signs of suffering and passed discreetly, in keeping with his reserved nature regarding his health.

The Vatican released images Tuesday of Francis’ body in red vestments and a bishop’s miter, lying in a wooden casket in the chapel where he lived and died. In accordance with his will, he will be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica, home to his beloved icon of the Virgin Mary.

Cardinals are now preparing for a conclave to select his successor. As tributes continue pouring in, Francis is being remembered for his humility, pastoral spirit, and devotion to the marginalised.

“He gave himself to the end,” said Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. “To go out to meet everyone, speak to everyone, teach us to speak to everyone, to bless everyone.”

Source: 9News.

Fans and members rally behind Labi Haliti as Sydney Olympic climbs the ladder

The Greek Herald
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Fans and members rally behind Labi Haliti as Sydney Olympic climbs the ladder

By Takis Triadafillou

Sydney Olympic FC’s commanding 3-0 win over NWS Spirit FC has not only kept the team’s momentum alive in the 2025 season but also further cemented the support behind head coach Labi Haliti from both fans and club members.

With goals from Michael Vakis, Cyrus Dehmie and Teng Kuol, the Blues delivered a confident display at Belmore Sports Ground, reinforcing their form under Haliti’s leadership. The performance has attracted praise from the club’s loyal supporter base and long-time members, many of whom credit Haliti for revitalising the squad with a disciplined, team-first approach.

A standout moment on match day was the presence of Haliti’s parents in the stands – regular attendees who rarely miss a game – highlighting the personal and community-based support the coach continues to receive.

Haliti acknowledged the impact of that backing in his post-match comments.

“I’m extremely proud of the effort our players put in today. It was a performance full of passion, focus, and teamwork,” he said.

“It’s not just the scoreline that pleases me, but the way we played—with heart and determination.
I want to thank our fans for their incredible support. The energy they bring to the ground drives us and truly makes a difference. And of course, it was a special moment for me personally to have my family—and especially my parents—in the stands. This win is for them too. We keep our heads down and continue working hard. There’s still a long way to go in the season, but we believe in our path.”

Within the club, Haliti’s methods have also drawn praise from members familiar with his commitment to player development and football principles. His training philosophy, focused on tactical intelligence, physical intensity, and mental resilience, has been described as both modern and deeply collaborative.

Training sessions at Sydney Olympic include detailed match analysis, transition drills, high pressing scenarios, and in-game simulations – designed to prepare players for competitive pressure while fostering unity within the squad. Haliti also places strong emphasis on injury prevention and works closely with fitness staff and physiotherapists to ensure player readiness.

Off the pitch, Haliti has made the integration of youth talent a club priority, regularly attending U18 and U20 matches and involving standout players in first-team training.

“I strongly believe in local talent. Giving opportunities to young players is not a risk – it’s an investment.
If you show them trust, they’ll reward you on the pitch,” Haliti said.

Several youth players have already progressed into the senior squad under his guidance, a move welcomed by both fans and club insiders who see this as part of a longer-term strategy to build a sustainable and competitive team culture.

The sentiment from members and fans alike is clear: Labi Haliti is not just coaching a team – he is helping shape the future of Sydney Olympic FC, and their support for his leadership continues to grow.

How families celebrated a rare unified Easter

The Greek Herald
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How families celebrated a rare unified Easter

For the first time in eight years, all branches of Christianity—Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox—celebrated Easter on the same weekend, bringing together diverse traditions in Australian households with mixed cultural and religious backgrounds.

In Sydney, Eugenie Pepper’s kitchen was bustling with preparations for one of her family’s most cherished events: Greek Orthodox Easter.

On Sunday, 40 relatives spanning three generations gathered at her uncle’s house to celebrate with midnight mass, red eggs, and a feast featuring avgolemono soup, lamb, and traditional sweets like baklava.

“The pressure is always on,” Pepper told ABC. “These Greek aunties are like, ‘make sure that you do enough food, it’s got to be the biggest pumpkin you can find’.”

Pepper, who follows Greek Orthodox traditions, shares the holiday with her husband Shane, who was raised Irish Catholic.

“The kids had the benefit of two different cultures, which I think is really wonderful,” she said. “They would get double the amount of Easter eggs.”

Also in Sydney, Ali Cavill celebrated with her extended family blending Catholic and Greek Orthodox customs.

“My family were brought up Catholic and my brother’s wife is Greek,” she said. The weekend included a Good Friday Stations of the Cross, a Sunday morning Easter egg exchange, and a Greek lunch where guests brought food to share.

“If anything, it means more yummy dishes and more people… It only happens once every few years, so it tends to be a more exciting time of year,” she said.

Ethiopian Orthodox Christians also marked Fasika—Easter—on the same weekend. After 55 days of fasting, Tesfaye Yigzawe, president of the Ethiopian Community Association of Victoria, celebrated with family and traditional dishes like Doro Wat and injera.

As Australia’s Christian communities continue to evolve, this rare alignment of Easter dates provided a unique opportunity for families to unite across traditions—through faith, food, and celebration.

Source: ABC.

George Mastrocostas pushes ahead with project amid Gold Coast housing surge

The Greek Herald
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George Mastrocostas pushes ahead with project amid Gold Coast housing surge

As the Gold Coast races to meet a looming population milestone of one million residents by 2045, developer George Mastrocostas is pushing ahead with one of the region’s most ambitious residential projects—The Landmark, a $2.5 billion four-tower development in Mermaid Beach.

Mastrocostas, managing director of Aniko Group, confirmed the first stage of construction will begin mid-year, following the completion of a new state-of-the-art sales centre next to Pacific Fair.

The first stage will deliver 240 high-end units, part of a broader effort to ease the city’s critical housing shortfall.

George Mastrocostas. Photo: Tertius Pickard.

A recent report by the National Property Research Co (NPRC) found more than 144,000 new homes are needed by 2045 to accommodate population growth, with apartment prices surging as supply lags behind demand.

“Budds Beach is incredibly tightly held, with very few properties exchanging hands in the past five years,” said McNab executive chairman Michael McNab, whose own project—the $170 million Elements tower—also broke ground this week.

Urbis data shows the Gold Coast must build over 50 new towers every year for the next decade to stay on track. Yet only 11 projects were launched in 2024, delivering just 800 units—well below targets.

Despite the record-high 62 cranes currently active across the Gold Coast, industry leaders are warning of a potential “crane drain” if more approved developments don’t move to construction.

Mastrocostas’ Landmark project stands out in a climate where developers are being urged to fast-track feasible builds in partnership with local councils to meet both demand and state planning goals.

Source: Gold Coast Bulletin.

Tina Stefanou explores Melbourne’s urban fringe in immersive ACCA exhibition

The Greek Herald
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Tina Stefanou explores Melbourne’s urban fringe in immersive ACCA exhibition

Artist Tina Stefanou’s latest exhibition, You Can’t See Speed, now showing at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), delves into the complexities of life on Melbourne’s urban fringe—specifically in Doreen, a rapidly developing area that blurs the boundaries between suburb and bush.

Stefanou uses a range of media—installation, sculpture, sound, and video—to explore this transitional landscape where ecological, economic, cultural, and social forces collide.

The exhibition positions the urban fringe not as a cultural void but as a dynamic, mythic space of negotiation.

Drawing on her Greek heritage and mythological symbolism, Stefanou presents works like Grief Ramp (2025), a towering black motorbike ramp accompanied by a collaborative film with blind rider Matthew Cassar.

Cassar, guided by voice instructions, navigates a scrubby paddock, echoing ancient Greek notions of blindness as a path to deeper insight.

Photo: Andrew Curtis.

Another video work, Hym(e)nals (2022), features ghostly figures—teen girls and horses—emerging from shadows to a haunting soundtrack, challenging gender tropes while linking the suburban fringe to ancient symbolism.

The exhibition explores how girls’ affinity with horses often reflects a desire for agency and emotional expression in otherwise gendered social spaces.

Field of Triggers: Agri-temple (2025), an eight-channel video installation, reflects on the contributions of Greek migrants, many of whom settled on the urban fringe to sustain agricultural lifestyles.

The work honours their role in shaping a multicultural Australia.

Stefanou avoids didacticism, instead creating open-ended experiences shaped by sensory immersion, mythic references, and nonlinear video algorithms.

Scattered throughout the exhibition are surreal elements like salt-encrusted glass eyes and wax casts of horses’ legs, blending classical Greek art with commentary on environmental and social neglect.

Through a collaborative and participatory approach, You Can’t See Speed invites viewers to reconsider the overlooked edges of Australian life as rich with meaning, contradiction, and cultural possibility.

Tina Stefanou: You Can’t See Speed runs at ACCA until June 9.

Source: The Saturday Paper.

Sydney man Zacharias Giatras granted bail after Rockdale crash leaves man critical

The Greek Herald
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Sydney man Zacharias Giatras granted bail after Rockdale crash leaves man critical

Zacharias Giatras, a 19-year-old plumbing apprentice from Rockdale, has been granted bail after being charged over a serious crash in Sydney’s south that left one man in critical condition.

Giatras appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday following the Friday night crash on Tyrrell Street, Rockdale.

He faces several charges including aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, causing bodily harm by misconduct, driving with high-range PCA, and being in charge of a vehicle under the influence.

Emergency services arrived at the scene around 9.50pm to find a damaged parked Toyota Corolla and three 19-year-old men, one of whom was trapped inside.

Two were taken to St George Hospital, with one remaining in a critical condition.

Police allege Giatras was the driver and returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.203.

Parramatta Local Court.

In court, the police prosecutor said Giatras initially denied being behind the wheel and admitted to regularly speeding and drifting.

Though Giatras’s lawyer acknowledged that “alcohol is the clear main factor in the offending behaviour,” he noted the teen had no prior criminal convictions.

Magistrate Ian Guy described the incident as “catastrophic,” highlighting the possibility that “one person could lose their life.”

Giatras was granted bail under strict conditions, including a ban on alcohol and entry to licensed venues, and mandatory compliance with random police drug and alcohol testing.

He is scheduled to appear in Sutherland Local Court on May 2. No pleas have been entered.

Source: Daily Telegraph.

The late Jim Diamantis remembered as community-minded family man

The Greek Herald
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The late Jim Diamantis remembered as community-minded family man

Adelaide businessman Jim Diamantis, co-founder of Diamonds Camera, has been remembered as a hardworking and compassionate family man following his death at the age of 70 after a sudden stroke earlier this month.

Diamantis passed away peacefully after spending 10 days in a coma. His family described him as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, known for his generous spirit and willingness to help others.

“He was the first to pick up a shovel or chat with someone who was dealing with something in their life,” his son Nicholas said. “It was his caring nature that I admired most.”

Born in Kila, a small village in Kozani, Greece, Diamantis was the eldest of three brothers. He migrated to Adelaide with his family in 1966 at age 12, attending Croydon High School and juggling multiple jobs despite not speaking English.

He later studied electronics at trade school and secured work with camera company Hanimex.

Photo: The Cairns Post.

In 1982, Diamantis and his brother Chris founded Diamonds Camera. “This was during a period that did not always look favourably to Europeans arriving in Australia,” Nicholas said.

Initially rejected by a major supplier, the brothers travelled to Hong Kong to source stock. Impressed by their determination, the supplier later agreed to work with them—on the condition they stop importing.

The business grew into one of Australia’s leading camera retailers, at one point operating four stores and employing more than 50 staff.

Outside of business, Diamantis loved spending time with his family, walking along the beach, and tending to his garden.

“He would always say that spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren gave him the most joy,” said his wife, Julie.

Diamantis is survived by Julie, his sons Nicholas and Billy, daughter-in-law Vassi, and grandchildren Dimitri and Irena.

Source: The Advertiser.

WA government dismisses Basil Zempilas’ Commonwealth Games bid

The Greek Herald
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WA government dismisses Basil Zempilas’ Commonwealth Games bid

The WA government has sharply criticised Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas’ call for Perth to launch a late bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, branding the idea a “brain fart” that could cost the state “billions.”

Zempilas made the pitch in an interview with Seven West Media, urging the state to act despite missing the March 31 deadline to submit an expression of interest.

“Perth may never be in a position to host an Olympics, yet this would have given us all of the excitement for a fraction of the cost, with all this current crop of outstanding athletes just two years before they compete in Brisbane,” he said.

“We should be on the phone and saying, ‘here’s what we are prepared to pay’.”

The proposal comes after a strong showing from WA athletes — including Gout Gout, Lachlan Kennedy, Jessica Hull and Peter Bol — who drew large crowds at the Australian Athletics Championships held in Perth over the weekend.

Photo: ABC News / James Carmody.

Acting Sports Minister John Carey rejected the idea outright.

“Do WA taxpayers want to spend more than $2 billion, which is half of the health infrastructure budget, on one event in WA?” he said on ABC Radio Perth.

“Our government is saying that this is a brain fart, a thought bubble, it’s bonkers. Let’s focus on the things that matter to West Australians.”

“Basil is always after the headline, the quick grab, but he doesn’t think about the implications for WA taxpayers,” Carey added.

A spokesperson for Zempilas said he was unavailable for comment Friday morning.

Zempilas previously pushed for Perth to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games as Lord Mayor, after Victoria pulled out due to projected costs.

Source: ABC.

Greek Orthodox Easter celebrated Australia-wide with faith, tradition and joy

The Greek Herald
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Greek Orthodox Easter celebrated Australia-wide with faith, tradition and joy

Greek Orthodox Easter was celebrated across Australia over the weekend with church services, processions, and joyful family gatherings. From solemn commemorations to festive feasts, communities came together to honour one of the most significant dates on the Orthodox calendar.

Melbourne – Archbishop Makarios Leads Lamentations in Northcote
At the Axion Esti Cathedral in Northcote, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia led the deeply moving Epitaphios service. The night was marked by solemnity and emotion as hundreds of faithful followed the flower-adorned bier in procession around the grounds. The Archbishop offered a prayer before the statue of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and delivered a heartfelt homily on the sacrificial love of Christ.
“Christ chose the Cross not for ease, but to show how deeply He loves us,” His Eminence said, urging the faithful to reflect on eternity and embrace Christ in their lives.
The service was attended by clergy from across Victoria, including Bishops Evmenios and Kyriakos, as well as dignitaries such as Greek Consul General Dimitra Georgantzoglou, Federal MP Maria Vamvakinou, and Minister Steve Dimopoulos.

Adelaide – Epitaphios Procession through Bowden
In South Australia, Federal MP Steve Georganas joined Premier Peter Malinauskas and parishioners from the Church of Hagia Sophia for the Epitaphios procession through the streets of Bowden. The local community gathered in large numbers to honour the sacred moment with deep respect.

Sydney – Belmore and Earlwood Services
In Sydney, NSW Minister Sophie Cotsis joined hundreds of faithful at All Saints Church in Belmore for the evening service alongside Minister Tony Burke. At the Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord in Earlwood, worshippers gathered in reverence for the solemn liturgy.

Oakleigh – Saints Anargiri Church
Federal MP Clare O’Neil, Greek Community of Melbourne President Bill Papastergiadis, Oakleigh Grammar Principal Mark Robertson, Board Chairman Chris Damatopoulos, Greek Herald publisher Dimitra Skalkos, and Harmick Singh Matharu, Liberal candidate for Hotham, were among those attending the service at Saints Anargiri Church, Oakleigh.
Thousands of parishioners gathered for the Epitaphios procession, which circled the church grounds in a moving tribute of faith and reflection. Students from Oakleigh Grammar also took part in the service, performing hymns and chants that added a touching sense of reverence to the evening.

A National Gathering in Faith

As the clock struck midnight, Greek Orthodox churches across Australia were filled to capacity as thousands gathered for the Resurrection Service. Holding traditional lambathes, parishioners lit their candles from the Holy Flame and sang Christos Anesti in celebration of Christ.

Melbourne – Bentleigh and Hughesdale
In Bentleigh, Victorian MP Nick Staikos joined the Resurrection service at Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene. Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos attended in nearby Hughesdale, where families gathered in joy, sharing the kiss of love and traditional Easter delicacies.

Sydney – Kogarah and Belmore
In Kogarah, MP Mark Coure and federal election candidate Fiona Douskou attended the midnight service, while parishes across the city echoed with chants of hope and unity. NSW Minister Sophie Cotsis also joined parishioners at All Saints in Belmore alongside Minister Tony Burke and a large congregation.

Perth – Celebration in the West
In Western Australia, WA Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas joined parishioners at Saints Constantine and Helen in Perth. In a public post, he wished all a “Kalo Pascha” and “Christos Anesti.”

Post-Liturgy Traditions
Across the country, families and friends gathered after the service to enjoy magiritsa, red eggs, and traditional greetings, reinforcing bonds of faith and culture.

“A Little Greece” Blooms Across Australia

On Sunday, Australia transformed into a festive reflection of Greece. Backyards, parks, church halls, and restaurants were filled with music, laughter, and the scent of lamb on the spit. With kokoretsi, tzatziki, red wine and dancing, communities celebrated the Resurrection in full spirit. From young children to elders, generations came together to preserve and honour their heritage

Prime Minister Celebrates with the Greek Community
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marked Orthodox Easter Sunday by joining Archbishop Makarios of Australia and members of the Greek Australian community for a festive lunch at Alpha Restaurant in Sydney’s city centre. The gathering brought together community leaders and friends in a warm atmosphere of celebration and tradition.
The table was filled with beloved Easter delicacies — lamb on the spit, tsoureki, and red-dyed eggs — capturing the spirit of a Greek family table. The Prime Minister, in relaxed and cheerful spirits, exchanged Christos Anesti greetings with attendees, cracked red eggs with parishioners, and shared laughs and stories with His Eminence.
His attendance came during a demanding federal election campaign, offering a meaningful pause to honour Australia’s multicultural fabric and the strong contribution of Greek Australians to national life.

This year’s Easter was particularly symbolic, as it marked the first time in over two decades that Orthodox and Catholic Easter coincided, adding a sense of broader unity to the day’s celebrations.

Second suspected arson attack hits Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar in Melbourne’s Yarraville

The Greek Herald
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Second suspected arson attack hits Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar in Melbourne’s Yarraville

Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar in Melbourne’s inner-west suburb of Yarraville has been damaged in a suspected arson attack for the second time in less than a year.

At approximately 4.30am on Easter Monday, a white Toyota SUV was rammed into the rear of the family-owned Greek restaurant and set alight. Firefighters responded swiftly and brought the blaze under control within 20 minutes, preventing it from spreading to neighbouring businesses.

No one was in the building at the time, and no injuries have been reported.

In a statement issued later that day, co-owner Eleftheria Amanatidis confirmed the fire was contained to the restaurant’s outdoor garden seating area. The main dining room and kitchen of Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar, as well as Jimmy’s Deli next door, were not damaged.

“We are incredibly grateful to the emergency services for their swift and professional response,” Amanatidis said.

The restaurant, which reopened late last year after a fire in June 2024, had been operating throughout the Easter weekend and was preparing for a busy public holiday period. That earlier incident forced the business to close for four and a half months and undergo a complete rebuild.

Eleftheria and Anatoli Amanatidis.

The Greek Herald previously reported on the June 2024 fire and the restaurant’s reopening in November, which was met with strong community support.

Amanatidis described this second attack as “devastating,” particularly following so closely after the launch of her debut cookbook, Ela na Fáme!, a tribute to her family and Greek heritage.

“It’s devastating to be facing what appears to be a second arson attack – less than a year after a previous fire,” she said.

“But resilience is in my blood. Our family has been running businesses in Yarraville since 1971, and that 54-year history gives us the determination to face whatever challenges come our way.”

The team is now working closely with the City of Maribyrnong to ensure the premises are safe for reopening. Jimmy’s Deli is expected to resume trade on Thursday, with Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar to follow shortly after.

“On behalf of my co-owner — my sister Natalie — and our entire family and team, I want to sincerely thank everyone who has reached out today with kind words and offers of help,” Amanatidis said. “Your love and support means everything to us. We’ll be back soon.”

Victoria Police are continuing their investigation into Monday’s incident.

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