The LOOP

The Saturday Loop - March 28, 2026

ROUNDUP: WHAT HAPPENED ON DAY 28 OF IRAN WAR

On the 28th day of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio predicted the conflict would end within weeks as talks with Tehran continue. The Pentagon is reportedly preparing to send 10,000 more troops to the Middle East. Meanwhile, the chief of staff of Israel’s military reportedly warned that the nation has overextended its manpower and its military may soon “collapse."

SENATE PUSHES DHS FUNDING THAT CUTS BORDER PATROL, ICE

The U.S. Senate passed a bill by a voice vote after 2 a.m. yesterday morning to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) but cut off funding for ICE and even for the Border Patrol. House Republicans vehemently rejected the bill, with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., saying they will not “be part of any effort to reopen our borders" or "stop immigration enforcement.” He proposed a stopgap measure to fund the entire department through May 22 and said he will hold a vote “as soon as possible.”

VICE PRESIDENT VANCE: 'ALIENS' ARE ACTUALLY 'DEMONS'

Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, told an interviewer yesterday that he believes what many people describe as “aliens” are actually demons. He said that when he hears about “sort of extra-natural phenomena,” he naturally goes “to the Christian understanding that there’s a lot of good out there, but there’s also some evil out there. And I think that one of the devil’s great tricks is to convince people he never existed.”

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WORLD BEARS GROWING ECONOMIC BURDEN OF IRAN WAR

U.S. stocks opened low again yesterday morning, extending a slump from the previous day that sent the Nasdaq composite into correction territory. Both the tech-heavy index and the S&P 500 had closed March 26 at their lowest levels since September 2025. Meanwhile, oil prices have begun climbing again, trading at about $111 per barrel yesterday.

NYTIMES NOTES MASSIVE SPIKE IN CATHOLIC CONVERTS

The New York Times reported this week that Catholic churches across the U.S. are seeing a huge surge in conversions as catechumens prepare to enter the Church on Easter Vigil.

NEXT AMERICAN SAINT MAY BE CATHOLIC WAR HERO, PRIEST

Military Archbishop Timothy Broglio is calling for prayers ahead of a key Vatican review of the canonization cause for Venerable Father Vincent Capodanno, a Navy chaplain who was killed in 1967 in Vietnam. Here's how you can pray along with those supporting this worthy, all-American cause.

CATHOLICS GETTING PROSTHETIC LIMBS TO KIDS WOUNDED IN WAR

The Vulnerable People Project (VPP), a U.S.-based Catholic human rights apostolate, has launched a fundraising drive to help produce and deliver prosthetic limbs to hundreds of orphaned children injured in the war in Gaza. About 18,000 kids in Gaza have no surviving immediate family members, leaving many injured children to navigate their recovery alone, according to VPP.

PRIORITIZE FAITH, FAMILY, & FINANCES

Taylor Frigon Capital actively manages portfolios designed for those who prioritize faith, family, and long-term stewardship.

BOOK REVIEW: CHRISTIAN FEMINISM?

Zeale's Ava Cilento reviews Carrie Gress's most recent work, "Something Wicked: Why Feminism Can’t Be Fused with Christianity," which aims to expose the occult roots of feminism.

CATHOLIC MODEL SHARES STORY OF FAITH & FORGIVENESS

Before Grace Strobel was an internationally recognized model, she faced bullying and discrimination for her disability, we learned in this exclusive Zeale News interview. Here's how she turned her pain into purpose.

BEAUTIFUL EASTER EGGS TO MAKE WITH FAMILY

Here's how to make Pysanky (a Ukrainian style of Easter egg). These beautiful eggs are a step above your run-of-the-mill egg dyeing kit!

SAINT OF THE DAY

Today the Church honors Pope St. Sixtus III, who ascended to the papacy in 432. As the 44th pope, he approved the results of the Council of Ephesus and actively resisted the heresies of Nestorianism and Pelagianism. He also frequently corresponded with St. Augustine of Hippo.

SATURDAY'S PSALM

"The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock." (Jeremiah 31)

SATURDAY'S READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

SUNDAY'S PSALM

"My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" (Psalm 22)

SUNDAY'S READINGS

Sunday's Mass readings.

ANSWER TO TRIVIA

The earliest instance of a pope canonizing a saint is when Pope John XV formally canonized St. Ulrich of Augsburg in the late 10th century. Before that time, a saint would be recognized by a local bishop, based largely on the "cult" or following the holy person had inspired.

PRAYER

Vice President Vance this week invoked the upcoming Easter Triduum as he prayerfully wished our troops well. We pray for all of our military brothers and sisters in harm's way.