The LOOP
The Tuesday Loop - March 17, 2026
NATIONS REJECT TRUMP DEMAND FOR HELP REOPENING HORMUZ
Germany, Spain, Italy, and other U.S. partners yesterday rejected President Donald Trump’s demands that they send military reinforcements to help the U.S. and Israel reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Lebannon announced that Israeli strikes have displaced about 20% of the population, 1 million people, as Israel announced a ground operation that it says is intended to repeat the military campaign in Gaza.
POPE LEO TELLS JOURNALISTS TO REPORT WAR FROM VICTIMS' PERSPECTIVE
Speaking to journalists yesterday, Pope Leo said that the work of journalism during this time of war is not to become “propaganda” or “a mouthpiece for those in power,” but “to show the sufferings that war always brings to the people; to show the face of war and to relate it through the eyes of the victims, so as not to transform it into a videogame.”
POPE LEO TO BE AWARDED U.S. LIBERTY MEDAL JULY 3
The National Constitution Center will present its 38th annual Liberty Medal to Pope Leo XIV in a public ceremony July 3 on Independence Mall in Philadelphia – the eve of America's 250th anniversary. The Holy Father will deliver a live acceptance speech via a livestream from the Vatican.
TRUMP CHIEF OF STAFF SUSIE WILES FACES BREAST CANCER
Trump announced yesterday that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, will begin treatment immediately, and is expected to recover.
US VOTERS SOURING ON ISRAEL SINCE 2023
More U.S. registered voters now view Israel negatively than positively, according to a new poll, which also found that negative sentiment toward Israel has grown in every age group since 2023, most sharply among young voters. Here are the numbers.
GETTING TO KNOW 'THE CONFESSION OF ST. PATRICK'
The Church has celebrated the feast of St. Patrick for at least 1,000 years, and the writings of the saint point to spiritual realities much deeper than green beer and fiddle music. Here's what's really worth knowing about the patron saint of Ireland.
STUDY: CHILDLESSNESS AND LONELINESS LINKED
Studies show that older adults’ loneliness rates have increased in recent years. According to a recent report from the Institute of Family Studies, a trend of childlessness is only exacerbating the problem.
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'IT IS THE PRAYERS OF OTHERS WHICH HAVE KEPT ME UNSCATHED'
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MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING CATHOLIC DEACON DAD
A deacon in the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, was murdered by his son, prosecutors say. The 36-year-old son was denied bail when he appeared in court yesterday after being charged with first-degree murder, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, attempting to evade arrest, and theft.
PRIEST MAY BE CHARGED OVER CATHOLIC TEACHING ON HOMOSEXUALITY
A Catholic priest in Iceland is facing possible criminal charges after defending Catholic teaching that people engaged in same-sex relationships should not receive the Eucharist. Authorities have argued his remarks could violate the country’s 2023 law banning so-called “conversion therapy.”
DESK EXERCISES TO DO WHILE WORKING
Desk jobs can make it hard to stay active, but here are 10 exercises you can do at your desk while working.
CATHOLIC 101
"One of the many things Jesus did was to ask a lot of questions," writes Monsignor Charles Pope. "Whenever you the Gospels and Jesus asks a question of someone, answer it."
SAINT OF THE DAY
On March 17, Catholics celebrate Saint Patrick, the fifth-century bishop and patron of Ireland, whose life of holiness set the example for many of the Church's future saints.
DAILY PSALM
The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob." (Psalm 46)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
NEW EPISODE
What happens when five strangers sit down for dinner and tackle today’s most controversial issues? In this of Food Fight, Phoenix residents sit down for a raw and sometimes uncomfortable dinner conversation about cultural identity, family values, and what really divides us. Streaming now on Zeale.
