The LOOP
The Thursday Loop - March 12, 2026
IRANIAN DRONE ATTACKS ON US SOIL?
An FBI alert circulated to police departments in California before the Iran war began warned that Iran could retaliate against the U.S. by launching drone attacks in the state, ABC News reported. The alert said Iran might have plans for drone strikes on U.S. soil in place as a retaliatory measure in the event of U.S. strikes.
REPORT: BIDEN DEREGULATION OF ABORTION PILL HURT WOMEN
The FDA’s decision under the Biden administration to loosen safety restrictions on the abortion drug mifepristone led to an increase in serious health complications for women, according to a new report from the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Pro-life advocates have repeatedly urged the Trump administration to reinstate mifepristone’s earlier safety requirements.
OFFICIALS FIND US ERROR BEHIND DEATHS OF IRAN SCHOOLGIRLS
An ongoing military investigation has preliminarily concluded that American forces were responsible for the deadly Feb. 28 airstrike on an Iranian girls’ elementary school that killed at least 150 people, including schoolgirls. The tragedy was reportedly due to the U.S. relying on outdated targeting data. An investigation into why the data was not double-checked is ongoing.
POPE, LEBANESE FAITHFUL MOURN PRIEST KILLED IN ISRAELI STRIKE
Tens of thousands of mourners gathered yesterday for the funeral of Father Pierre al-Rahi, a Maronite Catholic priest who died after sustaining wounds from an Israeli tank strike amid firefights with Hezbollah. Pope Leo mourned the priest in remarks at the Vatican, calling him “a true shepherd, who always stayed beside his people, with the love and sacrifice of Jesus the Good Shepherd.”
HAWLEY BILL WOULD PROTECT BABIES, WOMEN FROM MIFEPRISTONE
Republican Missouri Senator Josh Hawley has introduced a bill that would ban mifepristone in the U.S. and strip the drug of its FDA approval, arguing the medication poses serious risks to women and should no longer be permitted on the market. The bill would also empower women harmed by the deadly drug to sue manufacturers.
JOYFUL NOISE! PRO-LIFER WINS SETTLEMENT IN NORTH CAROLINA
A North Carolina city has increased the sound level it permits in public spaces as part of a settlement with a pro-life advocate who sued after he was told he could not use a speech amplifier while sidewalk counseling.
POLL: GAUGING PUBLIC REACTION TO IRAN WAR
More than half of Americans oppose U.S. military action against Iran, about three-quarters say they object to putting boots on the ground in the Middle Eastern country, and roughly three-quarters say they think the war will last months or longer, according to a March 9 poll from Quinnipiac University.
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MEET THE 9 YOUNG ADULTS OF THE EUCHARISTIC PILGRIMAGE
This summer, nine Catholic young adult men and women who hail from different states, occupations, and devotional journeys will embark together on a cross-country pilgrimage bringing Christ in the Eucharist to local communities along a particularly patriotic route. Here's what to know about these "perpetual pilgrims."
EUROPE'S HIGHEST COURT DECLINES CHRISTIAN PARENTS' CASE
Europe’s highest court has declined to hear a case brought by a Christian couple whose two daughters were seized by Swedish authorities in 2022 over claims of abuse and religious extremism allegations, leaving the children in state custody.
3 LENTEN RETREATS YOU CAN DO AT HOME
Sometimes it feels impossible to get away from your day-to-day life to focus on your relationship with God, but there are ways to retreat in silence with Our Lord even when you're at home.
CATHOLIC 101
Icon writer Elizabeth Zelasko explains how she was inspired to write an icon of the Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today the Church honors St. Theophanes the Chronicler, a holy abbot who wrote a history of the Christian world. Theophanes’ fight against the iconoclast heresy eventually led to his imprisonment and his later death in prison.
DAILY PSALM
"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (Psalm 95)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
TODAY
In an age of hot takes and endless commentary, how do we learn to speak truthfully, charitably, and even humorously? Dominican friar and Godsplaining podcast host Fr. Gregory Pine, OP joins Erika Ahern on The Deep to discuss his new book Training the Tongue: Growing Beyond the Sins of Speech. Watch the premiere at 4PM ET on YouTube.
