Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Vatican offers indulgence for visiting elderly, celebrating grandparents day

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By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Catholics who celebrate the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly July 23 can receive a plenary indulgence, which is a remission of the temporal punishment due for one’s sins, the Vatican said. In a decree issued July 5, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic […]

Our churches must serve peace, Russian Orthodox leader tells cardinal

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  By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches should join efforts to promote peace before threats of a “major global armed conflict,” the head of the Russian Orthodox Church told Pope Francis’ envoy on a peace mission to Moscow. Meeting June 29 with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, sent […]

Rome’s underground: Ancient hidden histories

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By Emily Stimpson Chapman Catholic News Service In Rome, the churches are legion. Little parishes and great basilicas alike meet travelers on every block of the ancient city, their facades mingling with shops and restaurants, apartments and ancient ruins. Although unique visions of beauty and faith greet all those who cross the thresholds of these […]

Pope’s message of hope launched into Earth orbit

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ message of hope for humanity encased in a small satellite blasted off into space June 12 and soon will beam his words back to Earth. “The ‘Spei Satelles’ mission successfully launched from the U.S. base in Vandenberg, California, and in the coming days, it […]

Pope returns to Vatican, ‘better than before,’ doctor says

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service ROME — Pope Francis has returned to the Vatican after a nine-day hospital stay and intends to go ahead with his planned trips abroad in August and September, according to his chief surgeon. “The pope is fine. He’s better than before,” said Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the chief surgeon who […]

‘Senseless war’ against creation must stop, pope says

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — People must end the “senseless war against creation” and help victims of environmental and climate injustice, Pope Francis said. “We must do this by resolving to transform our hearts, our lifestyles and the public policies ruling our societies,” the pope said in his message for the […]

Behind the pope: An ‘explosion’ of spirituality in bronze

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By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Through five pontificates, popes have instructed the faithful at their weekly general audiences, condemned war, called for peace and even celebrated birthdays in the Vatican audience hall under the gaze of a giant bronze sculpture of Jesus. The massive sculpture, nearly 66 feet wide and 23 […]

Pope decides women will be voting members of synod

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  By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — At least three dozen women will be voting members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October, Pope Francis has decided. In a decision formalized April 17, “the Holy Father approved the extension of participation in the synodal assembly to ‘non-bishops’ — priests, […]

True faith is open to others, Pope Francis repeatedly says in Hungary

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  By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service BUDAPEST, Hungary — Praising the piety and charity of Hungarian Christians and their commitment to supporting traditional family life, Pope Francis said Christ also calls them to open their hearts — and perhaps their borders — to others in need. When it comes to the church or to […]