The LOOP

The Wednesday Loop - April 8, 2026

TRUMP ANNOUNCES TWO-WEEK CEASEFIRE IN IRAN

After warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran failed to meet his deadline, President Donald Trump hours later announced a two-week ceasefire, pausing U.S. strikes as negotiations continue. Prominent Catholics, including the leaders of CatholicVote, had denounced Trump’s initial threat as immoral.

POPE LEO DENOUNCES TRUMP'S 'TRULY UNACCEPTABLE' THREAT

Yesterday, Pope Leo XIV condemned Trump’s threat to destroy Iran's entire civilization, calling it “truly unacceptable.”

TRUMP ADMIN RESETS TITLE IX TO REFLECT TRUTH ABOUT SEXES

The U.S. Department of Education has rescinded prior Title IX agreements with several schools that had replaced legal language about sex with language about "gender identity." The new change lifts mandates on pronouns and access to sex-segregated spaces, ending investigations over “misgendering” and re-focusing Title IX enforcement on protecting women and girls in sports and private spaces.

WHEN CHOOSING A NEW CELL PHONE COMPANY, CHOOSE LIFE!

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FORMER ABORTION ACTIVIST WINS WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT RACE

Democratic-backed candidate Chris Taylor won election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court yesterday, expanding the court’s liberal majority in a closely watched race.Taylor defeated conservative candidate Maria Lazar with about 60.7% of the vote to 39.2%, with roughly 69% of ballots counted as of 10:15 p.m. Eastern. The result increases the court’s liberal majority to 5-2.

IDAHO MANDATES PARENTAL CONSENT FOR MINORS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little signed a law requiring parental consent for minors to use social media and restricting features like infinite scroll, push notifications, and targeted ads that lawmakers say drive addiction and mental health harms. The new law takes effect in 2027.

CATHOLIC PRO-LIFE LEADER DENOUNCES TRUMP

After Trump threatened to destroy Iranian civilization, Mexican Catholic pro-life activist Eduardo Verástegui said that although he has supported the Republican Party for years, he will no longer back Trump or any other politician who does not “fully defend life, without exceptions.”

ACCESS 7 CATHOLIC MUTUAL FUNDS

With religious values guided by prominent Catholics, including Tom Monaghan, Raymond Arroyo and Michael Knowles.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLOSES ANOTHER FACILITY

Pro-life groups are celebrating the closure of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Port Angeles, Washington, the city’s only abortion facility. The closure comes amid broader financial pressures and nationwide clinic consolidations.

'TRUTH ABOUT CHOICE' EVENT PLANNED FOR COLLEGE CAMPUS

A Massachusetts pro-life group will hold a campus event at UMass Amherst honoring the thousands of preborn lives lost to abortion. Additional "Truth About Choice" events are scheduled at other locations in the state to raise awareness about the reality of abortion.

WHY GROOMS NEED STRONG PORTRAITS

Grooms are often overlooked in wedding imagery, yet their vocation as husbands and fathers calls for a visible, courageous leadership and love. A strong portrait of the groom captures the moment a man steps into his role as protector, servant-leader, and spiritual head of a new family.

CATHOLIC 101

A Word on Fire reflection shows how Aragorn’s hidden identity, kingly authority, and healing power in "The Lord of the Rings" echo Christ’s kingship — revealing Tolkien’s Catholic imagination through subtle parallels rather than direct allegory.

SAINT OF THE DAY

Paralyzed and bedridden for 22 years, St. Julie Billiart became a sought-after spiritual guide before a miraculous healing led her to found the Sisters of Notre Dame of Namur, a teaching order serving the poor.

DAILY PSALM

"Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord." (Psalm 105)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

NEW EPISODE

Is patriotism just political, or could it actually be a virtue? Cardinal Raymond L. Burke discusses how patriotism has its roots in piety, one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and how it helps us to understand truths about God. Check out the newest episode of The Virtue of Patriotism, now streaming on Zeale.