Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Pope approves new statutes for child protection panel

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By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Pope Leo XIV approved new statutes for the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors that seek to balance its integration with the Roman Curia while preserving its independence. The updated statutes, which were published by the Vatican June 13, detail the commission’s role within the Dicastery for the […]

First U.S. saint is honored in her Italian hometown

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By Courtney Mares OSV News PAVIA, Italy — Pope Leo XIV venerated a relic of the heart of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first U.S. citizen ever canonized a saint, during a visit June 20 to her hometown in northern Italy, saying that her missionary devotion to migrants speaks directly to the challenges of today’s […]

Pope celebrates writers, highlights importance of books

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By Courtney Mares OSV News VATICAN CITY — Pulitzer Prize winners, a Nobel laureate, celebrated novelists and authors from nearly a dozen countries met at the Vatican June 24 for an audience with Pope Leo XIV, who reflected on the importance of books to reveal who we are and “our inner dialogue with God.” “Writing, […]

Migration tops pontiff’s agenda in Canary Islands

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service ARGUINEGUIN, Spain — Standing at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, where thousands of migrants arrive each year after dangerous journeys from Africa, Pope Leo XIV recalled the biblical sea monsters Leviathan and Rahab. Yet the greatest threats lurking in these waters, he said, are not creatures of Scripture. […]

Iconic basilica’s newest tower receives blessing

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By Courtney Mares OSV News BARCELONA, Spain — Pope Leo XIV blessed the newly completed Tower of Jesus Christ at Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica June 10, inaugurating the crowning spire that makes the iconic church the tallest Catholic church the world and urging people to lift their gaze to Christ “who alone reveals to us […]

Pope receives standing ovation for powerful speech

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By Courtney Mares OSV News MADRID — In a sweeping address to the Spanish parliament, Pope Leo XIV delivered a forceful defense of the dignity of every human life, declaring that its protection is not a partisan issue but “a goal of civilization,” while addressing the issues of abortion, migration, freedom of conscience, the seal […]

In first encyclical, Pope Leo urges world to ‘disarm’ AI

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By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Presenting the first encyclical of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV warned that artificial intelligence must be “disarmed,” urging governments, tech leaders and society to confront the rapidly growing technology before it weakens human relationships, critical thinking and peace itself. With its authoritative teaching, the 82-page encyclical, […]

Pope defends church reform amid rift with traditionalists

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By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Amid renewed tensions between the Vatican and traditionalist Catholics over the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Leo XIV defended church reform as a legitimate process that adapts to current needs while remaining rooted in authentic tradition. During his May 27 general audience in St. […]

Pontiff marks anniversary with visit to Marian shrine

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By Courtney Mares OSV News POMPEI, Italy — Pope Leo XIV marked the anniversary of his May 8 election by making a pilgrimage to celebrate Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Pompei, one of Italy’s most beloved Marian shrines, placing his pontificate under the protection of the Virgin Mary. […]