Graham Dies at 71, US-Iran War Spreads, and Pope Leo Calls for Peace – 7/13/26

Senator Lindsey Graham has died. This is Josh Mercer with your Morning LOOPcast. Senators in Washington were shocked by the death of Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Preliminary findings say an aortic dissection caused by cardiovascular disease. Graham had just returned from Ukraine, and President Donald Trump said a Saturday evening call from the senator may have been his last. The former Senate Judiciary Committee chairman became one of Trump's closest allies. ...and help drive the confirmation of conservative judges, notably Justice Kavanaugh. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement, while voters this November choose who will fill the seat for the next six years.

Meanwhile, the U.S.-Iran conflict appears to be spreading again. American forces launched multiple waves of attack after an Iranian attack left a container ship burning near Oman, and one crew member missing. Iran then struck targets in several Gulf countries that host U.S. forces. Trump said the Strait of Hormuz remains open, but shipping has slowed considerably, and oil prices have increased by more than 3%. From Castel Godolfo, Pope Leo warned Sunday that the winds of war are blowing once again, killing innocent people in the Middle East, Ukraine, and beyond.

He urged leaders to return to dialogue and negotiation. Today is the Feast of St. Henry II, the only Holy Roman Emperor ever canonized. He used political power not for self-empowerment, but to strengthen Go to zeal.co for the rest of today's Loop, and while you're at it, subscribe to get the Loop in your inbox every morning. Again, that's zeal.co.