The LOOP
The Wednesday Loop - October 8, 2025
FAMILIES OF HOSTAGES: GIVE TRUMP THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
Families of hostages still held in Gaza are calling on the Norwegian Nobel Committee to award President Donald Trump this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, praising his efforts to free their loved ones and end the war.
POPE LEO RESPONDS AFTER ISRAELI EMBASSY ACCUSES VATICAN
Israel’s Vatican Embassy yesterday accused the Holy See of being overcritical of Israel and not focusing enough on Hamas' crimes after Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin gave an interview in which he did in fact condemn Hamas and call for the release of hostages while denouncing antisemitism, but also decried Israel's "ongoing massacre" in Gaza. Pope Leo responded to the embassy's complaint by saying Cardinal Parolin had "expressed the Holy See's opinion very well."
GRASSLEY: BIDEN FBI SPIED ON GOP LAWMAKERS
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, revealed that the Biden FBI spied on nine Republican lawmakers during its “Arctic Frost” investigation — a probe that Grassley said later became the foundation for Special Counsel Jack Smith’s controversial case against Trump.
ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSINGS HIT LOWEST RATE SINCE 1970
Illegal crossings at the southern border hit the lowest annually recorded number since 1970 during the 2025 fiscal year, preliminary data from the Department of Homeland Security show. Federal agents stopped about 238,000 illegal border crossings in fiscal year 2025 (compared to 2.2 million under former President Joe Biden in 2022) — which is comparable to 1970, when approximately 202,000 apprehensions occurred at the southern border.
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POLICE STOP DISTURBING ATTACK IN CONNECTICUT CHURCH
Police arrested a 23-year-old man accused of attacking a Virgin Mary statue with a hammer at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, Connecticut. Father Jim Sullivan, rector of the basilica, told CatholicVote that the 100-year-old statue had never been damaged before. Church staff were cleaning when the suspect allegedly jumped onto the altar and began swinging a hammer.
CHARLIE KIRK TEXTED ABOUT LEAVING 'PRO ISRAEL CAUSE'
In text messages confirmed to be authentic, Charlie Kirk shortly before his murder vented frustration over Jewish donors attempting to "bully" him and leaving him “no choice but to leave the pro Israel cause.”
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ACCESS 7 CATHOLIC MUTUAL FUNDS
With religious values guided by prominent Catholics, including Coach Lou Holtz, Callista Gingrich and Michael Knowles.
BROOKLYN BISHOP REDUCES NUMBER OF LATIN MASS PARISHES
Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn has reduced the number of local churches that celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) from three to two. A spokesperson for the Diocese told CatholicVote: “Bishop Brennan very much wants to meet the needs of the people and has developed an approach that will be more sustainable."
US BISHOPS TO CONVENE, ELECT NEW LEADERSHIP
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will elect a new president, vice president, and chairmen for six of their committees this November at their 2025 Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, Maryland.
NOT TO BE MISSED
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP: • The Supreme Court is set to decide if citizens have a First-Amendment right to counsel kids against "transgenderism." • Archbishop Timothy Broglio recently encouraged lawyers and judges to practice virtue. • Pope Leo will travel to Turkey and Lebanon at the end of November.
WHAT IS FREEDOM?
Freedom is an ideal that people are instinctively drawn to, says Alvaro de Vicente on his substack. But at the same time, the word is often used in unclear ways. Here, he spends time reflecting on what freedom is — both an inborn power and a developed capacity, something that is both external and internal, and how it can be developed in boys and young men.
CATHOLIC 101
With stories of violence and persecution in the headlines, we naturally recall the stories of martyrs. You may not have heard the story of a Polish nun during World War II and her dream of a red wedding dress. Her story reminds us that God foresees our sorrows, transforms them, and comforts us. Writing for Aleteia, Sarah Robsdottir explains.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today the Church celebrates Saint Pelagia the Penitent, who began her life as a pagan dancer. When she passed the bishop of Antioch, he noted her great beauty and prayed to God for her interior conversion. The next day, she heard his preaching and was moved to repentance. She gave away all her possessions and left the city disguised as a monk. She lived on the Mount of Olives outside of Jerusalem as a hermit for the rest of her days.
DAILY PSALM
"Lord, you are merciful and gracious." (Psalm 86)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
POPE LEO DEMURS
When asked yesterday about Trump’s move to send 400 National Guard troops to Chicago, Pope Leo responded: “I prefer not to comment at this time about political choices [made] within the United States. Thank you very much.”