Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

‘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 […]

Pope Francis’ role in Holy Week liturgies is undetermined

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — As Pope Francis continues his convalescence, the Vatican published a full calendar of Holy Week and Easter liturgies with no indication of who would preside or be the main celebrant. The list of Masses and other liturgies, released by the master of papal liturgical ceremonies March […]

Pope’s decrees pave way for Papua New Guinea’s first saint

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By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has cleared the way for the canonizations of three blesseds: an Armenian Catholic archbishop martyred during the Armenian genocide, a lay catechist from Papua New Guinea killed during World War II and a Venezuelan religious sister who dedicated her life to education and the […]

Pope Francis leaves hospital, with recovery to continue

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service ROME — Immediately before leaving Rome’s Gemelli hospital after more than five weeks of treatment for breathing difficulties, double pneumonia and infections, Pope Francis greeted hundreds of people who gathered outside the hospital March 23. With a very weak voice, Pope Francis thanked the crowd, waving his hands and […]

Commentary: Throughout papacy, Francis has challenged us to serve periphery

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By Greg Erlandson OSV News Pope Francis’ most recent encounter with mortality has captured the world’s attention. As of this writing he remains in the hospital fighting double pneumonia with a “reserved” prognosis. God willing, he returns to his duties, but it has been obvious that the 88-year-old pontiff has ongoing health issues as befits […]

Talk story: We are all pilgrims in Lent and in life

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Office for Social Ministry “This Lent, as we share in the grace of the Jubilee Year, I would like to propose a few reflections on what it means to journey together in hope, and on the summons to conversion that God in his mercy addresses to all of us, as individuals and as a community.” (Pope Francis, […]

Pope Francis improving, but condition is still ‘reserved’

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By Carol Glatz and Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ condition has shown a slight improvement, which, however, is still critical, the Vatican said. “There were no episodes of asthmatic respiratory crisis” Feb. 24, the Vatican said in its evening medical bulletin, and “some laboratory tests improved.” He is still on […]

Pope acknowledges age, defends controversial decisions

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — While calling himself an “old man” and saying he never expected to be pope this long, Pope Francis said he still has dreams for the future. “We must not stumble upon tomorrow, we must build it, and we all have the responsibility to do so in […]

Talk story: Sharing the light of hope in Jubilee Year

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Office for Social Ministry “Let us pause to reflect on this image as we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord during this Jubilee of hope. … It is bright, it is visible to all and it points the way.” (Pope Francis’ Epiphany homily 2025) The feast of the Epiphany provides an opportunity to celebrate the beginning of this Jubilee […]