Pope Francis greets Bishop Larry Silva during a meeting with bishops from other states on their “ad limina” visits to the Vatican on Jan. 27, 2020. Bishop Silva presented the pontiff with a gift of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts from Hawaii’s Carmelite nuns. (Vatican Media / CNS file photo)
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Word of Pope Francis’ death broke late in the evening on Easter Sunday, April 20, for the faithful in the Diocese of Honolulu. Many learned of the sad news on Easter Monday.
By then diocesan officials were already hard at work making plans for Hawaii to mourn Pope Francis, including sending out directives to parishes and creating a new website with information about the papacy.
Bishop Larry Silva released a statement late April 20: “After many prayers for his recovery, Pope Francis has passed to his eternal rest. How blessed is Pope Francis to have died on this Easter week, after dedicating his life and his papacy to proclaiming the Lord Jesus as alive and active in our world!”
“May he be raised up to eternal life with the risen Lord he loved so much. May his apostolic ministry bear much good fruit for generations to come!”
Vicar General Msgr. Gary Secor also offered his comments late April 20, noting that the pontiff had appeared in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, the day before his death, to deliver his “urbi et orbi” (“to the city and the world”) message.
“It seems that he really desired until the end of his life to fulfill his important duty as the Holy Father and did that with much courage and determination,” he said.
Father Alfred Omar B. Guerrero, director of the Office of Worship, on April 21 issued a memo “regarding the liturgical considerations upon the death of Pope Francis.” It offers guidance on changes to the Mass and within churches, as well as ways schools can get students involved.
The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis has created a website — www.catholichawaii.org/popefrancis — with resources on what happens when a pope dies, how a new pope is elected, Pope Francis himself and other topics.
A memorial Mass was planned for April 28 at 6 p.m. at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu.
