The LOOP

The Monday Loop - August 18, 2025

ZELENSKYY, EUROPEAN LEADERS TO MEET TRUMP TODAY

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet today with President Donald Trump at the White House to further discuss negotiations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. A number of European leaders will also attend the meeting. Trump has said he aims for a quick and complete peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, but Zelenskyy on Sunday signaled he would not negotiate such a deal until Putin accepts a ceasefire.

POLL: CALIFORNIANS OPPOSE NEWSOM REDISTRICTING PLAN

A new poll found California voters oppose a redistricting plan proposed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, which would favor Democrats in the state. The news comes after Newsom last week called for a special election vote to approve a new partisan map that would take seats from Republicans.

TRUMP ADMIN CUTS OFF VISITOR VISAS FOR GAZANS

The Trump administration halted all visitor visas for Gaza residents over the weekend. The State Department announced it was reviewing "the process and procedures used to issue a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas in recent days." Officials have offered no reason for the sudden move.

COSTCO NO LONGER TO SELL ABORTION DRUGS

Costco Wholesale Corp. has announced that it will not sell the chemical abortion drug mifepristone, citing a lack of consumer demand. The decision came after a coalition of pro-life leaders urged major grocery stores to stop selling the deadly drug.

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HOW AN ENGAGED COUPLE FOUND THE CHURCH

A fallen-away Catholic and a non-practicing Christian had been together for years when, in 2023, they decided to fully join the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Denver, just five months before they were married. Here's what led to their important decision.

MAINE ABORTIONISTS SUE TO KEEP FUNDING

A network of abortion facilities in Maine recently sued the Trump administration over a provision of the Big Beautiful Bill Act that protects federal funds from being used for abortions.

PRIORITIZE FAITH, FAMILY, & FINANCES

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POPE LEO'S ADVICE FOR CATHOLICS FACING RESISTANCE

In his Angelus address yesterday, Pope Leo delivered a reflection on the cost and courage of Christian discipleship. Here's why he said believers must hold fast to truth, even when it provokes resistance.

SCOTTISH PROSECUTORS DROP CHARGES AGAINST PRO-LIFER

Scottish prosecutors have dropped a free speech case against a 75-year-old woman who was targeted earlier this year for peacefully offering to talk with pregnant women outside an abortion facility in Glasgow.

LET'S BUILD ON PUBLIC LAND

"Families need affordable houses," says Jim Dalrymple at the Institute for Family Studies. "Let's build them on federal land." We may flinch at the idea of developing precious swaths of nature, but we have tons of federal land. Here's a proposal for a possible happy balance.

CATHOLIC 101

A theologian sometimes has the right and duty to remain silent, says Dr. Richard Declue. He is not like any other intellectual, but must always submit to the authority of the Magisterium. So what does he say or do when contradictions to Church teaching seem more persuasive to him? A theologian describes this experience.

SAINT OF THE DAY

Today the Church honors Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine. Helena is known for the discovery of the True Cross (on which Christ was crucified), and for ordering the Basilicas of the Nativity in Bethlehem and of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives.

DAILY PSALM

"Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people." (Psalm 106)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

MARTYRED AT MASS

German-born Father Leo Heinrichs fled anti-Catholic persecution in 1885. The young Franciscan faced his share of difficulty in the US, too. In 1908, Heinrichs was administering Communion at morning Mass when an assassin shot him in the heart. Stunned, but unfazed, the wounded priest gathered up the spilled Hosts and placed them on the altar steps before breathing his last.