Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Pope apologizes for Catholics’ role in genocide

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Meeting Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Pope Francis asked God’s forgiveness for the failures of the Catholic Church during the 1994 Rwanda genocide and for the hatred and violence perpetrated by some priests and religious. “He implored anew God’s forgiveness for the sins and failings of the […]

Pope Francis: Lent breathes life into world asphyxiated by sin

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By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service ROME — Lent is a time to receive God’s breath of life, a breath that saves humanity from suffocating under the weight of selfishness, indifference and piety devoid of sincerity, Pope Francis said. “Lent is the time to say no to the asphyxia born of relationships that exclude, […]

In tuxes and gowns, newlyweds look to pope for blessings, strength

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By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Each week dozens of newlyweds, dressed again in their wedding gowns and tuxedoes, come to the Vatican to receive a special papal blessing as they begin their lives together. “It’s always been a dream of mine, since I was little, to come to the audience […]

Proclaim Christ king of mercy, pope says, closing Holy Year

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Following Christ the King, whose regal power is love and mercy, means the whole church and each Christian must “follow his way of tangible love,” Pope Francis said. Celebrating the feast of Christ the King Nov. 20 and officially closing the extraordinary jubilee celebration of the […]

Francis calls 17 new cardinals to be agents of reconciliation

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The Catholic Church’s 17 new cardinals must dedicate their lives to being ministers of forgiveness and reconciliation in a world — and sometimes a church — often marked by hostility and division, Pope Francis said. Even Catholics are not immune from “the virus of polarization and […]

Mercy Fridays give pope a year of stories, tears, hugs

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Tears, prayers, caresses — but most of all, listening — were the hallmarks of Pope Francis’ “Mercy Friday” visits during the Year of Mercy. As the jubilee began last December, Pope Francis said he would ditch the media one Friday afternoon each month and personally try […]

Pope, Lutherans begin Reformation commemoration with prayer

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service LUND, Sweden — Urging Catholics and Lutherans to take decisive steps toward unity, Pope Francis nevertheless offered no new openings to the idea of sharing Communion before full unity is achieved. “We Christians will be credible witnesses of mercy to the extent that forgiveness, renewal and reconciliation are daily […]

Papal summer residence opens to the public for the first time

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By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — Pope Francis is throwing open the doors to the papal apartment — including the bedroom where popes have slept — in the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo. The palace was for centuries the summer residence of the Roman pontiffs, but Pope Francis has decided […]