The LOOP

The Thursday Loop - April 23, 2026

JUDGE BLOCKS VIRGINIA REDISTRICTING MAP

A circuit court judge declared the Democrat-backed amendment "void from the start," ruling lawmakers didn't follow proper procedures — setting up a legal battle that could reach the Virginia Supreme Court.

ADVOCACY GROUP CALLS FOR SPLC TO PAY DAMAGES

Family Research Council (FRC) President Tony Perkins said the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) should be compelled to compensate victims after the left-wing group was indicted for allegedly paying informants to foment and fabricate right-wing "hate." A gunman attacked FRC's office more than 10 years ago due to SPLC’s narrative. "Accountability should not stop with individual convictions,” Perkins said. “If wrongdoing is proven, justice should include restitution to those harmed."

IRAN SEIZES SHIPS IN HORMUZ STRAIT

Iranian forces fired upon and seized commercial vessels and cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, hours after President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire. Iran claimed the vessels had all been disrupting order in the strait or operating without authorization.

ALIGN YOUR CATHOLIC VALUES WITH YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS

Want a mutual fund that respects your pro-life, pro-family beliefs? All seven Ave Maria Funds share your Catholic values. They don’t invest in companies that support abortion, pornography or embryonic stem cell research, or make corporate contributions to Planned Parenthood. about Ave Maria, the nation’s largest Catholic mutual fund family.

ITALIAN CHURCH REPLACES CROSS DESECRATED BY IDF SOLDIERS

Italian forces — not the Israeli military — installed a replacement for the crucifix smashed by an Israeli soldier in a southern Lebanese village, according to the local mayor and a pastor. While the Israel Defense Forces did send a smaller crucifix with a different design, it was the Italian Church and Italian military forces that supplied a full-sized replacement for the original.

VA OFFERS NO CRUCIFIX OPTION FOR VETERANS' HEADSTONES

While atheists, humanists, and Wiccans have options for approved emblems on their headstones, Catholic veterans currently do not have the option to select a crucifix. CatholicVote has joined a coalition calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to change that.

WHAT DO THIS YEAR'S PRIESTS-TO-BE HAVE IN COMMON?

A new survey of more than 300 men being ordained this year found 92% were encouraged to pursue their vocation by someone they knew — and the most common source of that encouragement wasn't a parent or peer, but a parish priest.

CHOOSE LIFE THIS EASTER

You can be a pro-life force for good by switching to Charity Mobile — which sends 5% of your plan price to pro-life causes — and get a FREE phone too!

US AMBASSADOR TO HOLY SEE TO SPEAK AT TAC COMMENCEMENT

Thomas Aquinas College announced that Ambassador Brian Burch, who led CatholicVote for 17 years before taking his diplomatic post, will address the college's class of 2026 on May 16.

POPE LEO VISITS PRISON ON FINAL DAY OF AFRICA TRIP

Wrapping up his 11-day apostolic journey in Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV told inmates in Bata that "life is not defined solely by one's mistakes" and received a wooden cross they had crafted inside the prison.

SHOULD CATHOLICS CARE ABOUT CLOTHING?

In "Clothed with Beauty," Anna Kalinowska makes the case that Catholics need to be much more attentive to the way they dress, and it's not just a matter of modesty. Zeale's Grace Porto gives her take on the fascinating book.

CATHOLIC 101

The Church has always taught that emotions aren't flaws — they're part of how God made us. Emotional intelligence, far from being a pop-psychology trend, is a tool for becoming the kind of wholehearted disciple Scripture models in figures like Joseph, who felt deeply yet still chose love.

SAINT OF THE DAY

Today the Church honors St. George, the early Christian martyr behind the famous dragon legend, and a soldier who chose faith over empire and became a lasting witness of courage.

DAILY PSALM

"Let all the earth cry out to God with joy." (Psalm 66)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

NEW EPISODE

Iran war tensions continue as Iran skips talks with Vance, and Trump extends the ceasefire. Meanwhile, Virginia Democrats secure a major redistricting victory that could give them a 10-1 advantage in Congressional representation. And finally, Sodom is back. All this and more on the LOOPcast! now on Zeale.