MONDAY, MARCH 23

WAR ESCALATES - POPE LEO URGENTLY CALLS FOR PRAYER President Donald Trump threatened Saturday to strike Iranian power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened "WITHOUT THREAT" by Monday evening. In addition, Iran strikes near Israel's main nuclear research center left over 100 wounded. Israeli forces have also continued their offensive in Lebanon, with orders from Israel's minister of defense "to accelerate the destruction of Lebanese homes," according to the "model in Gaza." Pope Leo urgently called for peace Sunday and urged people worldwide to stand in solidarity with innocent victims of the conflict. READ

IRAN STRIKE SHOWS MISSILE RANGE GREATER THAN ADMITTED "The Islamic Republic of Iran significantly escalated its war effort against the U.S. with its launch of two intermediate-range ballistic missiles on Friday toward Diego Garcia, a key U.S.-U.K. military base in the Indian Ocean," FOX News reports. "The targeting of Diego Garcia, roughly 2,500 miles from Iran, means Tehran's missile capabilities appear to have exceeded previously acknowledged limits." READ

ICE TO DEPLOY AGENTS AT AIRPORTS Trump border czar Tom Homan said ICE agents will begin deploying to U.S. airports, following President Donald Trump's directive to increase security. Speaking on CNN, Homan said he is coordinating with ICE and TSA officials to finalize and execute the plan, arguing that ICE agents are highly trained and already operate in airports conducting criminal investigations. READ

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U.S-IRAN PEACE TALK MEDIATOR WARNS AGAINST ESCALATION The primary diplomat involved in the now-abandoned negotiations between Iran and the U.S. argued this week that the U.S. has "lost control of its foreign policy to Israel," warning that the U.S. must extract itself from the war against Iran and return to diplomatic talks before the conflict escalates further. READ

PRIEST IN KUWAIT SPEAKS ON FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY AMID WAR A Catholic priest in Kuwait is urging prayer and stability as the U.S.-Israel war with Iran fuels fear and uncertainty across the Gulf. "Life is a mixture of caution, fear, and prayer," Fr. Sliman Hifawi said. As the situation has escalated rapidly in recent weeks, it has brought what he described as growing "psychological intensity." READ

'GOOD, I'M GLAD HE'S DEAD' TRUMP STATES UPON MUELLER'S DEATH Robert Mueller, who led the FBI from 2001 to 2013 and later served as special counsel in the Russia investigation, has died at age 81, his family said. President Donald Trump reacted in a Truth Social post, writing "Good, I'm glad he's dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!" READ

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YOUNG BRITS DRIVE PRO-LIFE MOMENTUM A BBC report found increased campus involvement, public advocacy, and funding for pro-life efforts, as well as a visible rise in younger participants engaging the pro-life issue more openly than in previous generations in the U.K. READ

SACRED HEART DEVOTION OFFERS HOPE AMID DARKNESS The revelations of Our Lord to a 17th-century French nun, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, have the power to drive back the darkness of the world. The director of the John Paul II Institute of Divine Mercy is urging Catholics to renew their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, emphasizing it as a path back to Christ's love amid growing spiritual darkness and cultural challenges. READ

7 AFFORDABLE EUROPEAN CITIES TO VISIT These lesser-known cities in Europe make a gorgeous — and affordable — getaway. READ

CATHOLIC 101 The constant interruptions of parenthood can help bring us closer to God. READ

SAINT OF THE DAY Born into Spanish nobility, St. Turibius of Mogrovejo left behind a legal career to become a missionary archbishop in Peru—despite initially resisting the call. Once consecrated, he tirelessly traveled across his vast diocese, defending Indigenous communities, confronting corruption among colonists, and building schools, seminaries, and hospitals. Known for his personal sacrifice and pastoral zeal, he is believed to have confirmed St. Rose of Lima and St. Martin de Porres. He died in 1606 after giving all he had to the poor and was later canonized as one of the first saints of the Americas. READ