The LOOP
The Wednesday Loop - April 1, 2026
WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
IRAN WAR DAY 32: POPE CALLS ON TRUMP TO END WAR
President Donald Trump said yesterday that the war is “coming to an end” and will be over in two or three weeks, explaining that the U.S. will "leave Iran whether we have a deal or not” and arguing that the Strait of Hormuz will open up “automatically” once American forces pull back. Pope Leo XIV, meanwhile, called on Trump by name to end the war during off-the-cuff comments to journalists near Rome.
TRUMP SIGNS ORDER FOR NATIONAL VERIFIED VOTER LIST
Trump signed an executive order yesterday directing the federal government to build a verified citizen voter list and restrict the U.S. Postal Service to sending mail-in ballots only to the voters on the list.
FEDERAL JUDGE NIXES TRUMP ORDER DEFUNDING NPR, PBS
A federal judge permanently blocked Trump's executive order directing all federal agencies to cut funding to NPR and PBS yesterday, ruling the order violates the First Amendment. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson called the decision "a ridiculous ruling by an activist judge" and said the administration still "looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue."
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ISRAELI LAWMAKERS PASS CONTROVERSIAL DEATH PENALTY LAW
Israel's parliament passed a law March 30 that will make the death penalty the standard punishment for Palestinians in the West Bank who are convicted of deadly terrorist acts. The penalty does not apply to Israeli citizens convicted of the same crimes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to the chamber to cast his vote in favor.
SUPREME COURT SHUTS DOWN PRO-LGBTQ COLORADO LAW
The Supreme Court ruled yesterday against a Colorado law that bars licensed counselors from engaging in so-called “conversion therapy” with children, handing a victory to a Christian counselor who argued the state law violated her First Amendment free speech rights.
TRUMP ADMIN EXTENDS GRANTS TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD
The Trump administration is extending Biden-era Title X family planning grants to Planned Parenthood for one final year, citing legal challenges in halting the payments. Pro-life groups have protested the development and continue to pressure the administration to permanently strip the abortion giant of taxpayer funding.
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ACCESS 7 CATHOLIC MUTUAL FUNDS
With religious values guided by prominent Catholics, including Tom Monaghan, Raymond Arroyo and Michael Knowles.
BISHOP BARRON BACKS REP MOORE AGAINST NIGERIAN PERSECUTION
Bishop Robert Barron yesterday came to the support of Republican Rep. Riley Moore, a Catholic, saying that violence against Christians in Nigeria reflects a pattern of religious persecution. While weighing in, Bishop Barron disputed a New York Times report that described the killings as driven largely by criminal activity.
ALL ABOUT POPE LEO'S APRIL PRAYER INTENTION
Pope Leo's prayer intention for the month of April is "for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.”
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A COLLEGE VISIT
Zeale’s Rose Church outlines how prospective students can go beyond admissions tours by exploring campuses independently, speaking with current students, sitting in on classes, and assessing campus cultures to determine the right fit.
CATHOLIC 101
A meditation on Christ's last breath on the cross from the perspective of both religion and science shows how breathing is the center of natural and supernatural life.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today is Wednesday of Holy Week, or Spy Wednesday. Regularly, April 1 is the feast of St. Hugh of Grenoble, a bishop who responded to corruption with personal reform and embraced prayer, fasting, simplicity, and regular pastoral visits as he worked to restore discipline and credibility in the Church.
DAILY PSALM
"Lord, in your great love, answer me." (Psalm 69)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
NEW EPISODE
What is the purpose of a homeland in God’s plan? Cardinal Raymond L. Burke explores why we are created for community—as members of families and nations—and how our homeland shapes our identity and mission. Check out the newest episode of The Virtue of Patriotism, now streaming on Zeale.
