The LOOP
The Monday Loop - August 4, 2025
MOST TRUMP NOMINEES STILL STUCK IN SENATE
"Hours of tense negotiations to strike a deal on President Donald Trump’s nominees blew up Saturday night, and now lawmakers are headed home," FOX News reported. "In a lengthy post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., of 'demanding over One Billion Dollars in order to approve a small number of our highly qualified nominees.'"
WAPO REPORTS TRUMP ADMIN BACKING DOWN ON IVF COVERAGE
The Washington Post reported Sunday that the Trump administration is backing down on forcing insurance to cover in-vitro fertilization (IVF), citing two anonymous sources. CatholicVote is among the organizations that have stood firm against the controversial treatments, which violate Catholic teaching.
NEW HAMPSHIRE PROTECTS KIDS FROM 'TRANS' SURGERIES
New Hampshire Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte on Friday signed into law two bills that will protect children from being subjected to so-called "gender-affirming" medical interventions. The historic move makes New Hampshire the first state in New England to protect kids from the controversial treatments and surgeries.
POPE HOSTS OVER 1,000,000 YOUNG PEOPLE
In what became one of the most memorable gatherings of Pope Leo's pontificate so far, young Catholics from roughly 150 countries converged on the Tor Vergata fields southeast of Rome for the Jubilee of Youth. At the vigil the night before, there were already 800,000 participants. By Sunday, Vatican officials confirmed the presence of over one million young pilgrims, accompanied by 7,000 priests and 450 bishops.
CNN ANALYST: DEMOCRATS STRUGGLING, DIVIDED CNN's
Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten says the Democratic Party’s brand is “garbage" according to the latest polling. "Democrats at this point are historically divided," he said. "It is a complete and utter mess. It is messier than a hoarder’s basement."
BISHOP BARRON RECEIVES JOSEF PIEPER PRIZE
Bishop Robert Barron was recently awarded with the Josef Pieper Prize in Germany, where he was praised for being a "major factor" behind "a considerable new turn to Catholicism among intellectuals, actors, media people, and educated young adults."
ANOTHER US CITIZEN REPORTEDLY KILLED BY ISRAELI SETTLERS
"A United States citizen died in the West Bank Thursday, according to reports confirmed by the United States State Department," the Daily Caller reported. "Khamis Abdul Latif Ayyad, 41," reportedly "died from smoke inhalation as a result of fires started by Israeli settlers who targeted cars and homes in his village late at night."
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POPE LEO ENCOURAGES YOUTH AT ANGELUS ADDRESS
“We are with the young people of Gaza, we are with the young people of Ukraine, with those of every land bloodied by war," Pope Leo said yesterday to young people gathered in Rome for the Jubilee of Young People. "My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible: a world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved with weapons but with dialogue.”
CATHOLIC PRO-LIFER WINS VICTORY AGAINST BIG TECH
A Catholic, pro-life woman in Florida has successfully retrieved the last of her data from Google after the tech giant de-platformed her and suspended her email account in 2023 when she sent a pro-life email.
WHY NOT USE BAD LANGUAGE?
It's better not to use profanity. But why? Aside from lacking in "manners" or even creativity in your use of words, there are deeper reasons it should be avoided. Here's a perspective from The Catholic Gentleman.
CATHOLIC 101
If we think about it, we can probably name a few people we believe, realistically, are beyond hope. We may even think it's irrational to pray for them. But this is simply never true. God has unexpected ways that reach a person, sometimes in the last years, weeks, or even minutes. Here's a reflection on this last hope from St. Ignatius' discernment of spirits.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today the Church honors Saint John Vianney, a humble French priest who revived his parish through deep prayer and by tirelessly hearing confessions. He became a model of pastoral holiness and is now the patron saint of parish priests.
DAILY PSALM
"Sing with joy to God our help." (Psalm 81:2)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
DEVOTION
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.