Bishop Larry Silva blesses a painting of Pope Francis in the downtown Honolulu chancery lobby, Oct. 27. The oil painting was done by local artist J.G. De Silva, a Catholic, who said she was “inspired by the Holy Spirit” to create the artwork in homage to Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical, “Laudato Si’.” The painting, which took three months and “a lot of research” to complete, highlights the pope surrounded by endangered Island creatures such as the nene goose, monk seal and Hawaiian butterfly. De Silva has also painted several works depicting St. Damien De Veuster and St. Marianne Cope, which can be seen as well at the chancery and in the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace gallery shop. (HCH photo | Darlene Dela Cruz)
Papal blessing