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