The LOOP

The Monday Loop - June 29, 2026

REPORT: US, IRAN HALT STRIKES

The U.S. and Iran agreed yesterday to stop attacking each other and plan to meet Tuesday in Qatar to address the Strait of Hormuz dispute, a senior U.S. official told Axios. The reported pause follows a weekend of renewed strikes that strained the 11-day-old ceasefire, as President Donald Trump threatened to “militarily complete the job” if Iran violated the agreement.

JOHN BOLTON PLEADS GUILTY

Former national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of retaining national defense information, admitting misconduct after an indictment accused him of keeping and transmitting highly sensitive material after leaving the White House.

SENATE DEMOCRATS BLOCK PRO-LIFE BILLS ON DOBBS ANNIVERSARY

Republican Sen. James Lankford brought a package of pro-life measures to the Senate floor June 25 — the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision — including bills protecting unborn children with Down syndrome and conscience rights for health care workers, but Senate Democrats objected to each one, blocking them from passing.

DOES YOUR PORTFOLIO REFLECT YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH?

What if your portfolio reflected the same values that guide your family? I'm Michael R. Acosta, CFP® at Genesis Wealth Planning — a Catholic advisor who builds faith-aligned portfolios screened for Church social teaching, structured beyond standard ETFs and mutual funds. Welcome, LOOPers. See how to align your investments with what your family stands for. SEE THE APPROACH

VERMONT KICKS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OUT OF VOUCHER PROGRAM OVER GENDER VIEWS

After Mid Vermont Christian School forfeited a girls' basketball game against a team with a male player, Vermont barred the school from its state-funded tuition program and athletic league — a move Alliance Defending Freedom is now challenging in federal appeals court as unconstitutional religious discrimination.

3 FIREFIGHTERS KILLED BATTLING WILDFIRES ON COLORADO-UTAH BORDER

Three U.S. wildland firefighters were killed, and two others suffered burn injuries, Saturday after being overtaken by fast-moving flames near the Colorado-Utah border while responding to the Knowles and Gore fires. Wildfire conditions have intensified across the western U.S. amid record-low snowpack, extreme heat, and high winds, with Utah's Cottonwood Fire now the largest burning in the country at more than 144 square miles.

PRINCETON PROFESSOR REVIEWS VANCE'S CATHOLIC CONVERSION MEMOIR

Princeton professor Robert George reviewed Vice President JD Vance's new memoir, Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith, arguing it deserves to be read apart from politics as a reflection on what gives life lasting meaning. George writes that the book traces Vance's journey from chasing credentials and status to discovering through Catholicism that faith, family, and friendship matter more than résumé achievements.

EXORCISTS' PRAYERS: WHAT HAPPENED IN A CHARLESTON HOTEL

"What my son and I witnessed as we prayed changed how we travel." They prayed two simple prayers—developed by exorcists for the laity—but were not prepared for the events that followed. If you travel for business or vacation, have a child in a dorm, etc., these prayers should always be handy. Hear the story and get 2 FREE prayer cards with code 2cardsFREE. CLICK FOR THE STORY & 2 FREE CARDS

POPE LEO OPENS CARDINAL CONSISTORY, ASKS FOR 'SINCERE COUNSEL'

Pope Leo XIV opened the two-day Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals on Friday, telling the College of Cardinals he needs their "freedom, frankness, and loyalty" and that "sincere counsel is always an act of communion." The closed-door sessions focused on proclaiming the Gospel, fostering peace, and continuing implementation of the Synod on Synodality.

PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED HOMILIES OF BENEDICT XVI RELEASED

The Vatican Publishing House has released an English translation of previously unpublished homilies by Pope Benedict XVI. The collection, titled "The Lord Holds Us by the Hand," includes homilies delivered during private Masses and after the late pontiff's resignation.

BOOKS FOR BOYS

By popular request, here is Zeale's definitive list of coming-of-age novels every boy should read.

CATHOLIC 101

St. Aloysius Gonzaga's first word wasn't mama or dada, and it was a symbol of the sanctity he would live out through the rest of his life.

SAINT OF THE DAY

Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, honoring the martyrdom of the two great apostles of the early Church in Rome. Though they died on different days, St. Augustine wrote in the 4th century that "those two were one" — and the Church has honored them together on June 29 since ancient times.

DAILY PSALM

"The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him." (Psalm 34)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

Experience gripping encounters as Forgotten USA brings you face-to-face with the resilient and hopeful American spirit of individuals, families, and communities often overlooked by the systems meant to protect them. Only on Zeale. WATCH

WHAT WILL AMERICA LOOK LIKE 250 YEARS FROM NOW?

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