Wednesday, 4 March 2026

LOOP: The latest on the Iran war

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

UPDATE: IRAN WAR ESCALATES ON 4th DAY The U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran entered its fourth day March 3, marked by intensified Iranian retaliatory strikes across the Persian Gulf, expanded Israeli operations into Lebanon, and mounting casualties. Here are the latest developments. READ

US VATICAN AMBASSADOR EXPLAINS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POPE, TRUMP U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Brian Burch in a recent interview rejected claims that Pope Leo is at odds with President Donald Trump. "I don't see a conflict there. I think people want to make it into a personality fight between the Pope and the president. That's not what it's about." READ

STOCK MARKET, INDUSTRIES REPORT WAR FALLOUT Global stock markets plunged and oil prices surged March 3 as the U.S. and Israel signaled that military operations in Iran could continue for weeks and Iran expanded its retaliatory strikes in the Persian Gulf. READ

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SUPREME COURT SIDES WITH PARENTS AGAINST SCHOOLS HIDING KIDS' 'GENDER' The Supreme Court has sided with concerned parents against a California policy that allows school teachers and administrators to hide kids' "gender transitions" from their families. The high court granted an emergency application to several California parents March 2. READ

FROM NEO-NAZI TO CATHOLIC The man whose photograph became one of the most widely circulated images from the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, says the photograph that defined him publicly also marked the beginning of his conversion to Catholicism. READ

TOP LAWMAKER QUESTIONS JUSTIFICATION OF IRAN WAR Senator Mark Warner, a member of the bipartisan "Gang of Eight" top lawmakers granted access to classified intelligence, said there was no imminent threat to the U.S. when the Trump administration went to war with Iran. Warner also pointed out that administration officials have been inconsistent in stating the war's objectives, which have ranged from regime change to nuclear disarmament to sinking Iran's Navy and taking out its non-nuclear missile capabilities. READ

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POPE GRANTS PLENARY INDULGENCE FOR OREGON CATHEDRAL The Vatican has granted a plenary indulgence for the Centennial Jubilee Year at St. Mary's Cathedral in Portland, Oregon, granting special graces to those who participate through Feb. 13, 2027. READ

100,000 PILGRIMS FLOCK TO SAINT'S REMAINS IN ASSISI A newly opened display of St. Francis of Assisi's remains drew about 100,000 pilgrims to the Italian town in its first week, a surge the Franciscan friars managing the display attributed to a desire for communion and prayer amid ongoing violence. READ

NOT TO BE MISSED... Here are the stories we couldn't fit in today's LOOP:

The father of an accused school shooter has been convicted of murder. READ
The Bishops of Green Bay, Wisconsin, nixed plans to merge parishes after objections from parishioners. READ
Eight in ten Hill staffers think soda products shouldn't be eligible for SNAP funding. READ

HOW TO RESET YOUR FAMILY'S LENT A few weeks into Lent, many Catholic parents find themselves wondering: How did we get off track? READ

CATHOLIC 101 A contemporary of Shakespeare and Milton, and a man of the cloth, George Herbert knew prayer. His poetry, rather than being dry or boring, shows all of the complexity and vibrancy of the spiritual life. READ

SAINT OF THE DAY Today the Church honors St. Casimir. The son of the King of Poland, Casimir rejected the luxurious court life, opting instead for a strict asceticism that included sleeping on the floor and staying awake all night meditating on the death of Christ. READ

DAILY PSALM "Save me, O Lord, in your kindness." (Psalm 31) READ

DAILY READINGS Today's Mass readings. READ

IS THIS A JUST WAR? What is a faithful Catholic to make of the situation in Iran? CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt weighs in. READ

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Tuesday, 3 March 2026

Iran

Friend,

What is a faithful Catholic to make of the situation in Iran?

The most important step is to pray—to enlighten our hearts and to protect all those in harm's way—especially innocents and our own troops. Next, we must properly name what's happening.

While Congress has not officially declared war on any country since World War II, President Trump is using the means of war while remaining, he believes, within the powers given to the President under Article II of the U.S. Constitution.

For Catholics, this means the President's actions must be measured using the time-tested dictates of Just War Theory.

When is a war just? The Catechism of the Catholic Church (§2309) and traditional teaching explain that a just war must meet four strict criteria:

The aggressor's damage must be lasting, grave, and certain.
All other means of resolution must be ineffective.
There must be serious prospects of success.
The war must not produce evils graver than the original situation.

Is the cause just? Has Iran caused the United States or neighboring countries lasting, grave, and certain harm? Some argue that Iran's past deadly assaults on Americans, its unabated nuclear ambitions, and the Iranian government's unrelenting hatred of America more than reach the level of trauma indicated by this criterion. Detractors of military action say Iran poses no immediate threat and there is no reliable evidence of a soon-to-be-nuclear Iran, therefore war cannot be justified. This remains a contentious debate.

Is there right intention behind the military action? Are we attacking Iran in pursuit of peace and justice for us and also the people of Iran? Or are we simply seeking access to oil? Is war legitimately the last resort? Are recent concessions suggested by Iran enough reason to forestall military strikes in favor of continued diplomatic efforts, or do the past 47 years of failed conversation merit moving on from discussion?

What is the probability of success? Can the United States indeed achieve its goals vis-à-vis Iran? Have those goals been clearly articulated? Are we running the risk of a prolonged Afghanistan-style physical occupation of Iran?

Does the damage being done outweigh the evil being targeted? How dangerous would a nuclear Iran truly be to the United States?

Here's what we know:

War is always terrible, even when it is justified.
Iran's leaders killed tens of thousands of innocents, including Iranians.
Iran is the world's leading sponsor of terrorism.
Iran was building nuclear weapons and refused to stop or allow legitimate inspections.
Iran's government calls America "the great Satan" and has attempted to assassinate our President.

Here's what we don't know:

How real is the threat of a nuclear Iran?
If that threat exists, how imminent was it at the time of these strikes?
Is it truly possible to achieve success without a prolonged, boots-on-the-ground engagement that endangers more and more lives?
What government will Iran have after this military engagement? Will it be better or worse?

None of us is in a position to answer all of the questions raised by Operation Epic Fury with certainty. So we must take care in forming and voicing our opinions.

One thing I believe we can all agree on is the need to pray.

Pray for peace.

Pray for restraint among leaders.

Pray for the protection of innocent life—American, Iranian, Israeli, and all others who could be drawn into this conflict.

Pray for justice guided by wisdom, not vengeance.

Go forward bravely,

Kelsey Reinhardt
President & CEO

CatholicVote