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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

TRUMP DEMANDS IRAN MAKE STRAIT OF HORMUZ SAFE President Donald Trump yesterday responded to reports that Iran planned to place mines in the Strait of Hormuz – a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes. Trump said that if mines were placed in the strait, Iran must remove them immediately or the U.S. will "take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a nation, again…." READ

LEBANON CALLS VATICAN TO INTERVENE FOR CHRISTIANS Lebanon's foreign minister is urging the Vatican to intervene to help protect Christian villages in southern Lebanon as fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah intensifies. The request comes one day after a Maronite Catholic priest, Father Pierre al-Rahi, was killed when an Israeli tank shell struck a home in the Christian-majority village of Qlayaa. READ

WYOMING HEARTBEAT MEASURE SIGNED INTO LAW Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, signed legislation March 9 that protects unborn babies from abortion in the state once their heartbeats can be detected, typically around six weeks into pregnancy. READ

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POPE ACCEPTS RESIGNATIONS OF TWO CHALDEAN LEADERS Pope Leo yesterday accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Hana Shaleta of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego. On the same day, the Holy Father accepted the resignation of Cardinal Louis Sako, the Chaldean patriarch of Baghdad. Bishop Shaleta was arrested last week while trying to leave the country amid embezzlement accusations. READ

JOIN CARDINAL BURKE IN 'ZEALE FOR AMERICA 250' PRAYER CAMPAIGN CatholicVote announced on March 10 a bold campaign promoting prayer and patriotism across America for its 250th birthday, inviting citizens to pray daily to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the country and cultivate the virtue of patriotism through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Here's how you can take part! READ

MAHA: NUTRITION TAKING BIGGER ROLE IN MEDICAL SCHOOL The Health Department and Department of Education announced that leaders from 53 medical schools across 31 states have committed to requiring at least 40 hours of nutrition education, or a comparable competency program, for medical students beginning in the fall. READ

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108 BABIES BORN AFTER FAILED ABORTIONS IN IRELAND Ireland's national health service reports that 108 babies were born alive after attempted abortions between 2019 and 2023 and later died. The disturbing revelation has prompted pro-life groups and some lawmakers to call for a public inquiry into how such cases are handled. READ

NEW JERSEY BISHOP TOUTS NUMBER JOINING CHURCH Echoing the words of Pope Benedict XVI that "the Church is alive and the Church is young," the bishop of the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, said in a recent pastoral letter that the record number of catechumens preparing to enter the Church this Easter is a sign of renewal. READ

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

Pro-lifers say Illinois' governor illegally withheld records from the voting public ahead of an abortion referendum. READ
Portland's bishop is again speaking out against "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day." READ
A new phase of preparations has begun ahead of World Youth Day 2027. READ

HOW TO HAVE MORE MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION In a world filled with small talk and social media highlights, interactions we have often leave us craving something more – a conversation that lingers, a moment of true connection, or a dialogue that really makes us think. Here are 30 conversation topics to get you started! READ

CATHOLIC 101 Scrupulosity and Prayer: People who struggle with scrupulosity may think that prayer can only be worthwhile if it takes place under specific circumstances or uses specific verbal prayers, but prayer is ultimately about raising one's soul to God. READ

SAINT OF THE DAY The saint of the day is St. Sophronius, a 7th-century Greek Patriarch. Sophronius is venerated as a saint both by Catholics and by the Eastern Orthodox. READ

DAILY PSALM "Praise the Lord, Jerusalem." (Psalm 147) READ

DAILY READINGS Today's Mass readings. READ

PRAYER Two statues of Catholic saints that had stood outside a downtown Denver church for more than 80 years were stolen early March 5 after a suspect used tools to pry them from the building. The church's pastor described the theft as "a personal attack" on the parish community. READ