The LOOP

The Monday Loop - October 12, 2026

POPE LEO XIV TO UNDERGO SURGERY AFTER DOCTORS FIND LUNG NODULE

Pope Leo announced Sunday after his Angelus address that doctors discovered a localized nodule in one of his lungs during recent medical examinations and have recommended surgery to remove it. The Vatican has not said whether the nodule is benign or malignant, but the Pope described it as having been caught early and asked the faithful for prayers ahead of the procedure.

SCHOOLS URGED TO TEACH COMMUNISM’S AND SOCIALISM’S HUMAN TOLL

Ahead of Victims of Communism Day Nov. 7, which honors those who suffered and died under communist regimes, the Department of Education is urging schools nationwide to teach students about the human toll of communism and socialism and America’s founding principles of liberty. The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation welcomed the appeal and highlighted its teaching resources, warning that students who do not know history risk falling for the “siren song of Marxism.”

TRUMP ANNOUNCES NEW WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY

Attorney and longtime Trump supporter Katie Zacharia will host an introductory press conference Oct. 13. Active in Republican politics for decades, President Donald Trump said that she “has been with me, in spirit, from the very beginning, and will do a fantastic job!”

AD: WILL I HAVE ENOUGH? GET YOUR FREE RETIREMENT READINESS BLUEPRINT

Does my retirement plan align with my Catholic faith? Walk through your plan room by room and leave with a personalized Blueprint, free and yours to keep. GET THE FREE BLUEPRINT

DOJ MOVES TOWARD INDICTING CASSIDY HUTCHINSON OVER JAN. 6 TESTIMONY

Prosecutors have reportedly presented evidence to a federal grand jury calling into question the veracity of her House January 6 Committee testimony that involved accounts of Trump advisers meeting for a “war room” planning session.

REPORT: MORE THAN 8 IN 10 GEN Z DEMOCRATS EMBRACE SOCIALISM

An OnMessage poll reportedly found that 84% of Gen Z Democrats view socialism favorably, which one pollster said signals an appetite for the party to move left as it seeks to retake Congress in November.

TREASURY SAFEGUARDS PROTECT $3.7T FROM FRAUD

Over the course of the 2026 fiscal year, the Treasury Department implemented a host of measures to identify and prevent fraud before making federal payments, rather than following what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called a “pay and chase” approach.

AD: WHEN CARLO WAS 4, GUESS WHO VISITED HIM FROM PURGATORY?

At just 4 years old, Saint Carlo Acutis had an extraordinary encounter with a soul from Purgatory that his mother said changed his life forever! Discover his incredible story—and how to enroll your loved ones in our Nov. 1–9 Novena of Masses for the Dead. NO stipend required--NO LIMIT on enrollments! LEARN THIS LITTLE-KNOWN STORY

POPE LEO XIV SAYS DEATH PENALTY IS AN ATTACK ON HUMAN DIGNITY

The Holy Father reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s opposition to capital punishment, calling the death penalty an attack on human dignity. His remarks came as Vatican and U.S. Church leaders criticized the planned Dec. 3 execution of Nidal Hassan, who was convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009.

EUROPEAN COURT TO DETERMINE WHETHER DATA PRIVACY LAWS COMPEL ERASURE OF BAPTISMAL RECORDS

A 2023 case from Belgium has reached the European Court of Justice, where the European Union’s advocate-general argued that those who are baptized Catholic as minors and subsequently leave the Church have a legal right under data protection laws to demand the destruction of their baptismal records.

EASY SWAPS TO LIMIT MICROPLASTICS

Limiting your household exposure to microplastics doesn’t have to entail an expensive whole-home overhaul. Zeale Lifestyle’s Rose Church offers seven tips for small, affordable changes that can make a big difference.

CATHOLIC 101

Word on Fire has released its first-ever theatrical film, a documentary diving into the great cathedrals of Europe seven years after the world watched in horror as Notre Dame burned. Zeale’s Johanna Duncan shares what viewers can expect from this powerful film.

SAINT OF THE DAY

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the life and witness of St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be canonized. As a computer whiz and an early internet user, St. Carlo Acutis led souls to Christ by documenting Eucharistic miracles online.

DAILY PSALM

“Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 113)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

NEW EPISODE

Hollywood gave us the unbeatable girlboss. TikTok answered with the Pinterest-perfect tradwife. On the newest episode of The Deep, Erika digs into Disney princesses, forgotten women who formed families and grew civilizations, and two modern saints who offer a richer vision of feminine strength. Check it out now on Zeale. WATCH ON ZEALE

BE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER

Real change begins when faithful Catholics take action. As a Champion, your monthly support helps CatholicVote defend life, protect religious freedom, educate voters, and equip Catholics to make a difference where it matters most. Join today with a monthly gift of $10 or more. JOIN THE CLUB