The LOOP
The Tuesday Loop - August 12, 2025
POPE LEO PRAISES ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN PEACE DEAL
Pope Leo on Sunday praised the recent peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, urging world leaders to reject war and take responsibility for resolving conflicts. The historic agreement followed a peace summit in Washington, DC, where President Donald Trump hosted both leaders at the White House for the official signing.
DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH MOURNS STEEL PLANT VICTIMS
Bishop Mark Eckman of the Diocese of Pittsburgh yesterday offered prayers for all those impacted by explosions at the US Clairton Coke Works plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania, that killed at least one person and injured 10 people.
JD VANCE EXPLAINS REDISTRICTING BATTLE
JD Vance in a Sunday interview explained how, thanks to illegal immigrants being counted in census data, blue states like California have more national political power, while states like Ohio and Indiana are weakened. It is "ridiculously unfair," Vance said.
ISRAEL KILLS TEAM OF JOURNALISTS IN GAZA WITH AIR STRIKE
The Israeli military killed Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al Sharif, three other Al Jazeera journalists, and an assistant in an August 10 airstrike in Gaza. Israeli officials defended the deadly strike, claiming Al Sharif led a Hamas militant cell.
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NEW – CARLO'S '8 HABITS' AND PIER GIORGIO'S '3 APOSTOLATES'
Did you know Carlo Acutis taught First Communion catechism classes 8 steps to become a saint? Did you know Pier Giorgio Frassati encouraged teens and young adults to share their faith through 3 Apostolates? You can get 2 NEW beautiful prayer cards from Holy Heroes with Carlo’s 8 Habits to Sainthood and Pier Giorgio’s 3 Apostolates to inspire young and old! Get enough for your parish, school, homeschool co-op and everyone for the upcoming canonizations on Sep 7!
POPE ISSUES NEW PRO-FAMILY POLICIES FOR VATICAN EMPLOYEES
Pope Leo is strengthening support for Vatican employees’ families by adding more paid time off for new fathers, extra leave for parents of children with severe disabilities, and extended financial allowances for older students.
NEW: VIRGINIA SCHOOL OFFICIALS LONG KNEW OF ABORTION SCANDAL
Officials in a Virginia public school system reportedly knew for months about allegations that a high school social worker facilitated and paid for a young female student’s abortion. The revelation deepens the scandal, since officials have claimed they only learned of the tragic story last week.
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MIRACLE REPORTED IN NAPLES
During a Naples parish celebration of the great Saint Charbel, witnesses reported a remarkable occurrence: a nearly empty jar of blessed oil inexplicably refilled as the priest was anointing his flock. The incredible event has prompted renewed devotion to the saint known for working wonders. Was this Saint Charbel's latest miracle?
US MILITARY CHAPLAIN, FUTURE SAINT?
On Sept. 4, Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services will celebrate a memorial Mass in Washington, DC, for Servant of God Father Vincent Capodanno, a US Navy chaplain who was killed in Vietnam. The annual Mass draws attention to the heroic military veteran – and to his potential status as a future American saint.
SO MUCH NEWS
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit it today’s LOOP: • A proposal to legally recognize same-sex "marriage" may appear on Ohio's ballot. • A man asked an Irish priest to hear his confession, then assaulted him with a glass bottle. • Canada's largest Protestant church doubled down on LGBT even after losing many worshipers.
COLLEGE CHECKLIST FOR WOMEN
For college-bound young women and those who support them, a few late summer to-dos can make or break your year. A few helpful items to buy, a few critical conversations, a few spiritual practices, and a little bit of pre-semester planning will set you up for success, peace, and joy. Here are the full checklists for both student and parent.
CATHOLIC 101
We're encouraged to go to Confession often, but what if you have nothing to say? If obvious sins don't have a regular hold on your behavior, you may be making progress in your spiritual life. That means it's time to dig into the less obvious venial sins and "imperfections." Here's what that means and how you can examine yourself for them.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today the Church celebrates Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, whose spiritual director, Saint Francis de Sales, praised her as "the perfect woman, whom Solomon had difficulty finding in Jerusalem."
DAILY PSALM
"The portion of the Lord is his people." (Deuteronomy 32:9)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
WITNESS
Shortly after taking the oath of office, Poland’s newly inaugurated President Karol Nawrocki made a pilgrimage to the Jasna Góra shrine, entrusting his leadership to the Blessed Virgin Mary.