The LOOP

The Friday Loop - May 8, 2026

RUBIO MEETS POPE LEO FOR A REMARKABLE 2.5 HOURS

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV yesterday in a meeting that lasted far longer than most papal audiences. Here's what we know about the private meeting.

IRANIANS ACCUSE US OF VIOLATING CEASEFIRE

Iranian and U.S. forces exchanged fire in the Hormuz Strait yesterday, with each side saying the other initiated the conflict. U.S. officials stated afterward that no American assets were harmed and that the ceasefire remains in effect.

TENNESSEE REDRAWS ELECTION MAP

Tennessee’s Republican-controlled legislature passed a new congressional redistricting map yesterday, splitting the state’s majority-black district in a move that could help Republicans win all nine U.S. House seats in the state. Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed the map into law shortly after it cleared both chambers.

FEDERAL COURT: TRUMP'S GLOBAL TARIFFS UNLAWFUL

A federal trade court yesterday struck down Trump's global 10% tariffs, ruling that the measures are unlawful.

OKLAHOMA MOVES TO EMPOWER OUT-OF-STATE PRO-LIFE ORGS

The Oklahoma House advanced a bill this week that would allow state taxpayer dollars to support out-of-state pro-life organizations providing care to pregnant women.

MARKING POPE LEO'S FIRST FULL YEAR

Today marks the first anniversary of the day when Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 266th Successor of St. Peter and history's first pope from the United States of America. Here is a look back at the Holy Father's first year.

ANALYSIS: NO MORE PRO-LIFE DEMOCRATS?

Abortion has become the “central organizing principle” of the current Democratic Party, Washington Examiner senior political columnist Timothy Carney wrote in an op-ed this week.

FREE PRAYER CARD WITH NEW BOOK, ‘SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY IN THE HOME’

A simple Catholic guide to order, responsibility, and prayer in family life. "Spiritual Authority in the Home" shows parents how to protect, guide, and lead with the grace God provides. Pre-order today and receive a free metal prayer card from Road to Purity.

RENEWED SCANDAL: ISRAELI SOLDIER DISRESPECTS MARY STATUE

Israeli officials have initiated an investigation after an Israeli soldier was photographed placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon. The photo was condemned by the Catholic Church's custodians of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, who called it "disrespectful and outrageous behaviour that must stop immediately."

JUDGE SIDES WITH CATHOLICS FORCED TO MAINTAIN $8M SHUTTERED CHURCH

A federal judge cleared the way for a Catholic parish's lawsuit against city officials who attempted to block it from demolishing a closed church that would cost up to $8.5 million to restore.

SPRING CLEANING ISN’T JUST FOR YOUR HOME

Now that it's May, you've probably cleared your home of extra clutter and reset it for the coming season. But have you cleared your mind, heart, and soul of things that are gathering dust?

CATHOLIC 101

Catholics often quote Our Lady of Fatima's statement that "more souls go to hell for sins of the flesh than for any other reason," but "sins of the flesh" does not just apply to sexual sin. Instead, we must root out all sin that allows our desires to override what we know to be good.

SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Peter of Tarantaise was a humble Cistercian monk who reluctantly became an archbishop, dedicating himself to serving the poor and reforming his archdiocese.

DAILY PSALM

"I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord." (Psalm 57)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

NEW SERIES

Bones of saints. Biblical artifacts. Sacred objects no one can fully explain. The Relics: Signs of the Sacred explores the mysterious mementos of Catholic history. Now available on Zeale.