The LOOP

The Thursday Loop - August 7, 2025

TRUMP BLOCKS VISAS FOR MEN COMPETING IN WOMEN’S SPORTS

The Trump administration said Monday it will stop issuing visas to men seeking to compete in women’s sports, closing a loophole that allowed foreign athletes to act against the administration’s goal of protecting female athletes.

POPE LEO BEATS OUT LIST OF LEADERS IN GALLUP POLL

A new Gallup poll found that Pope Leo is viewed most positively out of 14 public figures from around the world, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Here are the exact numbers.

TEXAS GUV SUES ABSENT DEMS OVER WALKOUT

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott filed an emergency lawsuit to remove House Democrats who fled the Lone Star state two days earlier to block a Republican-led redistricting plan. He's accusing them of abandoning their posts and duty to Texans.

5 SOLDIERS SHOT AT GEORGIA ARMY BASE

Five soldiers were shot and wounded early Aug. 6 at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Army Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, was taken into custody after allegedly opening fire with his personal handgun.

NEW – CARLO'S '8 HABITS' TO BECOME A SAINT

Did you know Carlo Acutis taught First Communion catechism class? And he told children the eight habits to become a saint—which certainly worked for him! Now you can get a beautiful prayer card with his eight habits to inspire you every day. Get enough for your parish, school, homeschool co-op, and everyone in your family. Stock up now for his canonization on Sept. 7!

NEW VATICAN OBSERVATORY DIRECTOR PROMOTES FAITH-SCIENCE DIALOGUE

Father Richard D’Souza, newly appointed to lead the Vatican Observatory, says his mission is to foster dialogue between faith and science, emphasizing that the two are not in conflict but can enrich one another.

POLLING GROUP: GOP MUST UP ITS GAME TO KEEP HOUSE

Data from the general congressional ballot shows support for Democratic candidates is slightly higher than for Republicans, according to RealClearPolling. “While there is still over a year until the midterms, unless Republicans can make a significant dent in the Democrats’ lead, they will likely lose the House,” RCP warned this week.

PRO-LIFERS, PICK UP THE PHONE

Switch to Charity Mobile, the pro-life phone company!

POPE LEO: HOW TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR THE LORD

"The Eucharist is not celebrated only at the altar, but also in daily life,” Pope Leo said yesterday. He urged the faithful to reflect: “What spaces in my life do I need to put in order to receive the Lord?” Perhaps, he said, it means renouncing a demand, taking the first step, listening more, acting less, or learning to trust what has already been prepared.

PSYCHIATRIST: COVID, 'WAR ON TERROR' POLICIES LINKED

“The government’s excessive COVID response did not begin with the 2020 pandemic,” wrote Catholic psychiatrist Aaron Kheriaty, M.D. in a recent review of a book about the War on Terror. But there's a strong resemblance between the draconian policies of the War on Terror and the more recent COVID response and ... you won't be able to unsee it.

BONUS NEWS

Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP: • Planned Parenthood is DONE in Louisiana. • Is Christianity on the verge of extinction in many countries? This UK envoy thinks so. • Bishops are still emphasizing the importance of the VA's recent reversal on abortion.

SWIFT, ADELE, AND MARRIAGE

Two major pop stars sing about love and marriage all over their songs. But one has a romantic-hopeful approach and the other sings from heartbreak. Neither has found that elusive, lifelong love. Here's what this says about our marriage-haunted culture.

"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (Psalm 95:8)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

DEFENDING JESUS

While some in Hollywood loved it, black viewers slammed this actress's controversial portrayal of Jesus as "blasphemous" and "repulsive."