The LOOP
The Monday Loop - March 2, 2026
POPE LEO DENOUNCES VIOLENCE IN IRAN AS DEATH TOLL RISES
As the death toll climbs after the onset of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, Pope Leo XIV used his Sunday Angelus address to denounce the abandonment of diplomacy and urged all parties to reverse the cycle of violence. President Donald Trump — who announced "major combat operations in Iran" early Saturday — said he anticipates the conflict will last about four weeks. Iran's supreme leader, three U.S. troops, and at least 80 people at an all-girls school in Iran are among those killed.
USCCB PRESIDENT ECHOES POPE'S PLEA FOR PEACE
Hours after Pope Leo's Angelus address, Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), reiterated the Holy Father's call for leaders in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran to resume diplomacy. “The growing conflict risks spiraling into a wider regional war,” he said. “As the Holy Father has warned, we are faced with the possibility of a tragedy of immense proportions."
CONGRESS DIVIDED ON IRAN
Both chambers of Congress plan to vote this week on resolutions to limit Trump's military authority regarding Iran, aiming to ensure proper authorization for any actions taken against the Middle Eastern country. Some Democrats broke with party leaders to defend the strikes, while a handful of Republicans raised constitutional concerns.
FBI INVESTIGATES AUSTIN SHOOTING AS POTENTIAL TERRORISM
The FBI said that a shooting that left three people dead, including the suspected shooter, and 14 others wounded outside a crowded downtown Austin bar early Sunday is being investigated as a "potential act of terrorism." The suspect, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Senegal and living in Pflugerville, Texas, was reportedly wearing clothes with an Iranian flag design and the words "Property of Allah."
A THEOLOGIAN'S CASE FOR 'MINIMALIST CATHOLIC ZIONISM'
In an exclusive interview with Zeale's Stephen Herreid, Catholic theologian Gavin D'Costa argued that Catholics can entertain the Zionist position that Jews have a theological claim to the land of Israel while also refusing to give unconditional moral support to the modern Israeli state.
INSPIRING: MONGOLIAN STUDENT SHARES HER CONVERSION STORY
Around Christmastime two years ago, a student in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, knelt before a Nativity scene and prayed to find her phone. Although she never found the phone, the moment sparked her conversion to the Catholic faith. “What draws me to the Catholic Church is the altar, where the Body and Blood of Jesus are sacrificed and given to the people,” she said. “This nourishes the soul. I want to experience it personally.”
CATHOLIC BIOETHICS CONFERENCE TACKLES IVF
A Catholic bioethics conference on March 21 featuring leading experts in the field is set to address some of the most difficult moral challenges facing healthcare providers, including end-of-life care and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
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LAST CHANCE FOR SPECIAL NEWMAN PILGRIMAGE
Just a few seats left! Join The Cardinal Newman Society and Msgr. James Shea for a 5-star pilgrimage to Oxford, London, and Birmingham this September to explore the life and legacy of St. John Henry Cardinal Newman, our new Doctor of the Church. Don’t wait—we must fill seats now!
DUBLIN ARCHBISHOP WELCOMES RECORD NUMBER OF CATECHUMENS
Dublin Archbishop Dermot Farrell welcomed a record 129 catechumens and candidates last Sunday during the annual Rite of Election at Saint Mary's Cathedral, calling them to embrace a lasting conversion as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation this Easter.
BISHOP CALLS PRELATES TO BE PRAYERFUL FRIENDS OF CHRIST
At the conclusion of a week-long retreat led by the Norwegian Bishop and Trappist monk Erik Varden, Vatican prelates were encouraged to live prayerful, virtuous lives in friendship with Christ in order to better carry out their duties.
FRENCH ONION BRAISED BEEF
Here is your new comfort-food staple. A hearty and delicious reminder to slow down, this humble chuck roast transforms into a short rib-style feast.
CATHOLIC 101
Reflecting on the Book of Jonah, a Catholic mother explores how fleeing God's call is ultimately fleeing His presence. "When life gets hard, we tend to run away," Gracie Muraski wrote. "And yet, this is actually very foolish. Because it is within the living out of the call that God has given us that we find His grace."
SAINT OF THE DAY
Born to a family in Seville, Spain, in 1846, Saint Angela of the Cross overcame poor health to found the Sisters of the Company of the Cross. The sisters dedicated themselves to a life of radical poverty and tireless service to the poor. Angela became known as "Mother of the Poor" and went on to found 23 convents during her lifetime before her death in 1932.
DAILY PSALM
"Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins." (Psalm 79)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
PRAY WITH US
Father in Heaven, as bombs fall in Iran, we ask that you please protect the Iranian people who are suffering the consequences of the war. We ask also that you please send the Holy Spirit to inspire our leaders with wisdom and prudence to guide their decisions.
