The LOOP
The Tuesday Loop - March 10, 2026
PRIEST KILLED BY ISRAELI STRIKE IN LEBANON
A Lebanese Maronite Catholic priest was killed yesterday when an Israeli tank shell struck a home in the Christian-majority village of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon amid ongoing clashes with Hezbollah. In a speech just before his death, Father Pierre al-Rahi said he and other local Christians would stay put despite Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters staging counteroffensives and an Israeli evacuation order. "None of us carry any weapons,” he said. “We carry nothing but the weapons of peace, goodness, love, prayer, and more prayer.”
DOJ MOVES TO DISMISS ANOTHER EFFORT TO REGULATE ABORTION PILLS
The Trump Justice Department moved March 6 to dismiss or pause another pro-life lawsuit, this one brought by Missouri, Idaho, and Kansas, that seeks to reinstate safety restrictions on the abortion drug mifepristone. In a response, CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt pointed out that the drug is now one of the primary tools of abortion in the U.S. after the fall of Roe v. Wade. She called on the Trump administration to respond with "clarity" and "resolve" to Catholic and other pro-life voters concerned that the administration is no longer willing to tackle the issue.
THE LATEST ON IRAN
Trump is weighing in on the likelihood of the Iran war ending soon, Tehran sees a toxic rainfall that could cause severe skin and lung afflictions for residents after Israel struck local fuel depots, and Iran warns of “uncontrollable consequences” should Trump follow through on his threat to target groups of people not previously considered fair game. Here is the latest on the Israeli-U.S. war on Iran.
OIL PRICE TUMBLES AFTER TRUMP SAYS WAR 'PRETTY MUCH' DONE
After Trump said yesterday that “the war is very complete, pretty much,” oil prices tumbled to $90 a barrel – down from about $119 – and the stock market rebounded. “The president’s comments lifted the S&P 500 to a 0.8 percent gain for the day, recouping some of last week’s 2 percent loss," The New York Times reported.
US FORCES REPORTEDLY BEHIND DEATHS OF IRANIAN SCHOOL GIRLS
Video footage released March 8 seems to show a U.S. Tomahawk missile striking a naval base in southern Iran — the latest evidence that the U.S. was the actor behind the Feb. 28 destruction of a nearby girls’ elementary school. The strike reportedly killed more than 180 people — including children. Trump had previously blamed the tragedy on Iran.
FORD BUILDS PERSONALIZED SUV JUST FOR POPE LEO
Pope Leo XIV received a one-of-a-kind Ford Explorer SUV from Ford CEO Jim Farley and his wife, Lia, during a recent private audience, the culmination of a project that excited several Catholic employees involved in building the vehicle.
FEDS CHARGE 2 MEN FOR ISIS-INSPIRED NEW YORK BOMB PLOT
Two Pennsylvania men were charged with attempting to detonate explosive devices during protests outside Gracie Mansion in New York City while acting in support of ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization, federal prosecutors said in a press release March 9.
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‘IT IS THE PRAYERS OF OTHERS WHICH HAVE KEPT ME UNSCATHED’
Venerable Fr. Emil Kapaun (US Army Captain & Medal of Honor recipient) knew whom to thank – especially when a sniper shot the pipe right out of his mouth! Today we need this heavy-duty collection of 10 prayers for our spouses, children, parents & friends plus prayers for our leaders, enemies, victory, and peace – and more! Get "Prayers in Time of War" now!
INDIANA FIGHTS RULING THAT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM COVERS ABORTIONS
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is appealing a March 5 ruling that allowed certain residents to obtain abortions under their religious freedom rights, providing a loophole in state laws that protect unborn life at nearly all stages.
CARDINAL ZEN WEIGHS IN ON SSPX
Cardinal Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, recently weighed in on the situation of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), which plans to consecrate new bishops without papal permission. A "schism must be avoided with every effort," Cardinal Zen wrote, but “a major issue of conscience" must also be addressed: "How can someone be forced to follow teachings that evidently deny the Holy Tradition of the Church?"
THE LINE THROUGH EVERY HUMAN HEART
We are often able to recognize evil when it's coming from outside as a threat, but what about the evil that lurks in our own hearts?
CATHOLIC 101
The spiritual life begins with a “wound of love,” and Christians can embrace the painful longing for God that empties the soul and opens it to receive the fullness of divine grace.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today is the feast day of St. John Ogilvie, a 16th- and 17th-century Scotsman who converted from protestantism to Catholicism, served as a Jesuit priest, and died a martyr’s death at the hands of state officials.
DAILY PSALM
"Remember your mercies, O Lord." (Psalm 25)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
NEW FLOURISH EPISODE
Travel with Cecilia to beautiful Northern Colorado and meet the Benedictine sisters of the Abbey of St. Walburga. Discover the rhythm of prayer and work that shapes their life. The newest episode of Flourish just dropped — now streaming on Zeale.
