Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

‘Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?’

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Here is the text of the Pope Francis’ extraordinary “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) address delivered Friday, March 27, at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. “When evening had come.” The Gospel passage we have just heard begins like this. For weeks now it has been evening. Thick darkness has gathered over […]

COVID-19 is not God’s judgment, but a call to live differently, pope says

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By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The worldwide coronavirus pandemic is not God’s judgment on humanity, but God’s call on people to judge what is most important to them and resolve to act accordingly from now on, Pope Francis said. Addressing God, the pope said that “it is not the time […]

Bishop asks Hawaii Catholics to join in two upcoming COVID-19 prayer efforts led by the pope

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Bishop Larry Silva is asking those in the Diocese of Honolulu to join Pope Francis and people around the world in two special prayer efforts on March 25 and March 27. “On Sunday, March 22, Pope Francis issued two invitations to all the people of the world to join him in prayer for a speedy […]

Pope announces extraordinary ‘urbi et orbi’ blessing March 27

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By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said he will give an extraordinary blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) at 6 p.m. Rome time March 27. The formal blessing — usually given only immediately after a new pope’s election […]

CORONAVIRUS: Public will not be admitted to papal Holy Week liturgies

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The Vatican office that distributes free tickets to papal events has posted a notice on its website that “the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week will take place without the physical presence of the faithful.” While public gatherings, including Masses, have been banned in Italy through April […]

CORONAVIRUS: Pope makes mini-pilgrimage outside Vatican to pray for end of pandemic

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service ROME — With Italy on lockdown and Rome streets almost deserted, Pope Francis left the Vatican March 15 in a mini-pilgrimage to an icon and to a crucifix associated with miraculous interventions to save the city and its people. The icon is “Salus Populi Romani” (health of the Roman […]

Citing cold, Pope Francis skips Lenten retreat with Curia

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By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Continuing his recovery from a mild cold, Pope Francis said that he would be unable to attend his annual Lenten retreat with Roman Curia officials. “Unfortunately, my cold forces me to not participate,” the pope told pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square March 1 for his […]

Pope sets special day to honor, study, share the Bible

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The newly established “Sunday of the Word of God” is an invitation to Catholics across the world to deepen their appreciation, love and faithful witness to God and his word, Pope Francis said. By papal decree, the third Sunday in Ordinary Time — Jan. 26 this […]