Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Pope died of stroke, coma and heart failure, Vatican says

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis died April 21 after suffering a stroke and heart failure, said the director of Vatican City State’s department of health services. The pope had also gone into a coma. “I certify that His Holiness Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on […]

Pontiff continued to surprise, inspire in last weeks

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By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News From the moment of his election, Pope Francis made clear from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica that his first mandate was to serve as bishop of Rome and be close with the people. “We take up this journey: the bishop and the people,” he said March 13, 2013, […]

Church has precise rules for navigating time between popes

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Centuries of experience dealing with the death, or occasional resignation, of a pope has left the Catholic Church with thorough instructions detailing who has responsibility for planning the funeral, preparing for the election of a new pope and taking care of essential business in the meantime. […]

Timeline: Highlights of a historic pontificate

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Here is a timeline of some significant events in Pope Francis’ 12-year pontificate: 2013, March 13: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected pope on the second day of the conclave, becoming the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere and the first non-European elected in almost […]

Passing of Pope Francis is a first in tradition of opening Holy Doors

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By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — With his death April 21, Pope Francis marked yet another first in the history of the Catholic Church: he became the first pope to open the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica without living to close it. The pope opened the Holy Door Dec. 24, 2024, […]

Canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis put on hold; memorial Mass scheduled

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — With the death of Pope Francis, the April 27 canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis was postponed and the Mass scheduled for that day will be a memorial Mass, the Vatican said. “Following the death of the Supreme Pontiff Francis, notice is hereby given that the Eucharistic […]

‘They are faces, not numbers’: A legacy of justice and mercy for migrants

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By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News ROME — Not long after Pope Francis’ election in 2013, media pundits and faithful wondered and speculated what countries he would visit as pope. Naturally, many assumed the newly elected pontiff would make Brazil his first official visit given that World Youth Day, a global event that has always […]

Pope was steadfast in defending every life as sacred

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — In his efforts to promote a holistic defense of human life, Pope Francis frequently denounced a “throwaway culture” where anyone not considered “useful” was seen as disposable — including the unborn and the aged. But in connecting the sacredness of the life of the unborn and […]

Father Elias “Eli” Escanilla / 1951-2025: Pastor shared love of Christ and culture with all

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By Celia K. Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Father Elias “Eli” Escanilla possessed a keen ability to cultivate many things — plants and animals; funds for church repairs and improvements; interest in the Philippines, his home country; and a sense of community and pride at the parishes where he served. At Holy Rosary Church in Paia, […]

Alphonso “Al” Jones / 1932-2025: Former teacher, youth minister touched countless lives

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By Celia K. Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Alphonso “Al” Jones was a beloved fixture in Hawaii’s Catholic community for decades, serving at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Pearl City and as the Diocese of Honolulu’s youth minister. Among his many contributions here, he helped with construction of the lava-rock church before its dedication […]