The LOOP

The Thursday Loop - July 23, 2026

TRUMP HONORS 4 US SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAN WAR

President Donald Trump joined Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine at Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer of four soldiers killed in Jordan and Iraq due to the ongoing Iran war. The U.S. military death toll since the Iran war began now stands at 18.

CARDINAL SARAH: WEST’S IDENTITY CRISIS MIRRORS CHURCH CRISIS

Cardinal Robert Sarah recently told European Parliament leaders in a powerful speech that the Church’s crisis in the West and the West’s loss of identity are “at bottom, the same crisis.” He warned that gender ideology and Islamic fundamentalism threaten human dignity as twin "apocalyptic beasts," and called on a “tired West” to take a lesson from Africa on how to revive European culture.

MAMDANI BACKS OFF PLAN TO ARREST NETANYAHU IN NEW YORK

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani conceded that city authorities lack the legal power to execute the International Criminal Court’s warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mamdani nevertheless called Netanyahu a “war criminal,” accused him of genocide, said he is unwelcome in New York, and urged the Trump administration to take it upon itself to arrest the prime minister next time he visits U.S. soil.

VATICAN DENIES RUPNIK ACQUITTAL REPORTS, SAYS TRIAL CONTINUES

Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni dismissed as “entirely unfounded” reports that a Vatican panel had acquitted disgraced former Jesuit Father Marko Rupnik, who faces accusations of serial abuse. Bruni said the canonical criminal trial remains underway and that no details can be released while the five-judge panel reviews the case.

DOJ INVESTIGATES HARVARD’S CHINA-LINKED FINANCIAL AID

The Justice Department opened a civil-rights investigation into whether Harvard used China-based funds to favor students from certain countries in financial aid programs. Federal officials say Harvard disclosed hundreds of millions of dollars in funding from China-based sources. The Trump administration is demanding records explaining restrictions attached to the money.

CARDINAL DOLAN RETURNS HOME FOR ST. LOUIS BICENTENNIAL

Cardinal Timothy Dolan returned to his native St. Louis to preach at a Jubilee Mass marking the archdiocese’s 200th anniversary. The homecoming came months after his retirement from New York and during a milestone year in which he marked 50 years as a priest and 25 years as a bishop.

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES DELIVERS FIRST FLIGHT OF CUBA AID

The first flight in a new U.S. aid effort for Cuba carried food and hygiene kits for hundreds of families. Catholic Relief Services will help ensure the supplies are distributed through local parishes, a plan intended to keep the communist government from diverting or stealing the aid.

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IDAHO COMPANY AGREES TO $5M VACCINE-MANDATE SETTLEMENT

Battelle Energy Alliance agreed to pay $5 million to resolve federal allegations that it denied religious and disability accommodations under its COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says the company’s policy affected more than 100 employees and in some cases led to unlawful medical inquiries or termination.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES SUES MICHIGAN OVER 'RELIGIOUS TARGETING'

Local Catholic Charities arms have sued Michigan officials after the state removed its counseling center from two publicly funded programs for vulnerable women. The ministry says its care record was spotless and alleges the state punished it for Catholic teachings, violating its First Amendment rights.

NEW DISCOVERY SUGGESTS BILLY THE KID WAS A CATHOLIC

Archivists researching the sainthood cause of Sister Blandina Segale uncovered a baptismal certificate identifying Billy the Kid by his birth name, Patrick Henry McCarty, at St. Peter’s Church in New York. Related marriage and baptism records suggest the notorious outlaw was raised Catholic!

CATHOLIC 101

John Mark Comer’s "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" is deeply compatible with the Church’s sacramental life, liturgical calendar, and monastic tradition — all of which train believers to slow down and become aware of God.

SAINT OF THE DAY

Today the Church honors St. Bridget of Sweden, a wife, mother of eight, widow, and mystic, and the foundress of the Bridgettines. Her devotion to Christ’s Passion shaped a life of prayer, charity, and courageous counsel to Church and civil leaders.

DAILY PSALM

"With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.” (Psalm 36)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

NEW EPISODE

Trump vows retaliation against Iran after four U.S. soldiers are killed. Meanwhile, JD Vance hits the media circuit with appearances on Joe Rogan and Bishop Barron. And finally, Tom breaks down the massive Meta Data center project in his backyard. All this and more on the LOOPcast! WATCH ON ZEALE

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