The LOOP
The Tuesday Loop - May 19, 2026
TRUMP HOLDS OFF ON PLANNED IRAN STRIKES
President Donald Trump said yesterday that he has postponed a planned U.S. military strike against Iran after Gulf leaders urged more time for negotiations. While he directed the U.S. military to stand down for now, the President also ordered that it remain prepared for a possible “full, large scale assault” on short notice if negotiations fail.
CATHOLICVOTE CEO TO GRADUATES: LIVE FOR CHRIST!
CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt delivered a stirring commencement speech at Wyoming Catholic College yesterday, urging graduates to live their faith boldly, embrace their vocations, tackle the Catholic moment in the U.S., and allow their experiences in Wyoming to shape the rest of their lives.
TEEN SHOOTERS KILL THREE AT MOSQUE
Two teenage gunmen opened fire at a mosque in San Diego yesterday, killing three men before fleeing the scene and dying of apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds a few blocks away, police said. The mass killing is being investigated as a hate crime, and police say the suspects had anti-Islamic writings with them.
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NEW DOJ FUND TO COMPENSATE TARGETS OF GOVERNMENT 'WEAPONIZATION'
The Justice Department has established a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund," creating a compensation process for people with claims of being targeted by politically motivated government actions during the Biden administration.
AMBASSADOR BURCH TELLS TAC GRADS: 'THE WORLD NEEDS YOU'
In a commencement address to Thomas Aquinas College graduates, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch told them that there is no true peace without justice – and the courage to defend it. The world "needs young men and women who know that true peace is not the absence of struggle, but the hard work, discipline, and courage of rightly ordered love," Burch said.
DEPT OF ED APPROVES WORKFORCE PELL GRANT PROGRAM
The Education Department will now let eligible students use federal Pell Grant funds for trade and tech training programs. CatholicVote's Joshua Mercer noted that millions of trade jobs are currently going unfilled and praised the Workforce Pell Grant initiative for aiming to help young Americans "train for high-wage, in-demand technical careers in a matter of weeks — and with little or no debt."
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POPE LEO TO RELEASE FIRST ENCYCLICAL MAY 25
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical will be published May 25, focusing on preserving human dignity amid the artificial intelligence revolution. The Holy Father will attend an official release event at the Vatican’s Synod Hall to present the document. According to Vatican News, the event will feature several speakers, including Christopher Olah, co-founder of Anthropic.
RALLY ON NATIONAL MALL EMPHASIZES REPENTANCE
Thousands gathered for a daylong prayer rally to rededicate America to God Sunday, marking the 250th anniversary of a day of prayer called by the Continental Congress. In a video message, Trump recited a long passage of Scripture – in part: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
NOT TO BE MISSED
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP:
HOW TO BE A SUPPORTIVE GROOMSMAN OR BRIDESMAID
A great bridesmaid or groomsman doesn’t just show up dressed well and on time. They show up ready to serve, support, and love well.
CATHOLIC 101
Could this Gen-Z student become the Church's next saint? Pedro Ballester was a 21-year-old cancer patient so filled with joy and peace that fellow patients sought out his hospital room just to be near him.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Pope St. Celestine V founded the Celestine order. He reluctantly became pope at age 80 before becoming the first pontiff to voluntarily abdicate the papacy.
DAILY PSALM
"Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth." (Psalm 68)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
AMERICA250
Tickets are going fast! Join Catholics from across the nation at Zeale for America 250. Be a part of this historic moment of prayer and renewal for our country. Will you be there?
