MONDAY, JULY 6

EXCLUSIVE: POPE LEO MAKES UNPRECEDENTED FOURTH OF JULY VISIT TO US AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE Pope Leo XIV made an unscheduled and unprecedented Fourth of July visit to U.S. Ambassador Brian Burch's residence in Rome, sharing a classic American meal before closing the evening singing "God Bless America" together in the garden. Burch told Zeale News it was "a reminder of the closeness of our two nations." READ

TRUMP MARKS 250 YEARS OF FREEDOM IN JULY 4th ADDRESS During the July 4 "Salute to America" celebration in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump commemorated America’s 250th anniversary by reflecting on the nation’s founding, honoring those who sacrificed for its freedom, and declaring that “the spirit of 1776 still lives within us all." He said, “We have thrived and flourished because our founders were great. Our cause was just. Our people are brave. Our culture is exceptional. And our destiny is written by God." READ

POPE LEO URGES AMERICANS TO RENEW EUCHARISTIC DEVOTION Pope Leo XIV sent a video message to mark the July 5 conclusion of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, calling it "particularly appropriate" to mark America's 250th anniversary with a pilgrimage centered on Christ and urging participants to continue a strong Eucharistic life at home. He also highlighted America's "largely unknown" Catholic heritage, pointing to a Mass celebrated by Spanish explorers in St. Augustine, Florida in 1583 as evidence that the U.S. was "imbued with a sense of faith that recognizes God's sovereignty even before its formal establishment." READ

EXCLUSIVE: HOW AMERICA'S 94 BASILICAS TELL ITS CATHOLIC STORY Catholic social media professional Grady Connolly told Zeale News that his pilgrimage to all 94 basilicas in the U.S. revealed to him the Holy Spirit's work throughout the country. "In many ways, these basilicas represent the real American dream. They are visible signs of what free people, trusting in God's providence, can build when their lives are ordered toward heaven." READ

POPE LEO ACCEPTS LIBERTY MEDAL On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the U.S., Pope Leo accepted the 2026 Liberty Medal, which recognized his efforts to defend religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression. In his acceptance speech, the Holy Father praised America's God-given ideals of life and liberty and encouraged the nation to remain “true to the dream” of its founders. READ

THE HOLY FATHER'S MESSAGE TO AMERICA In another tribute to America's 250th anniversary, Pope Leo issued a letter July 3 congratulating Americans and highlighting the nation's founding principles of liberty, justice, religious freedom, and democracy. He also encouraged Catholics to serve the country by building a "civilization of love." Here is Pope Leo's full letter to American Catholics. READ

POPE LEO: 'AMID THE SCOURGE OF WAR, CHRIST IS HOPE' In his Sunday Angelus address at St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV reflected on Jesus' invitation to "come to me, all you that are weary," saying Christ makes the cross bearable not by removing it but by carrying it alongside his followers — and that following him is "not an asceticism that mortifies" but "a school of freedom." "In slavery, Christ is liberation. Amid the scourge of war, Christ is hope. In the hour of sin, Christ is forgiveness," the Pope said. READ

AD: “BE NOT AFRAID. I WILL HELP YOU," MARY SAID. TWELVE YEARS LATER… It’s still the world’s deadliest wildfire. Over 1.2 million acres and 17 towns destroyed—but every person and animal within the 5 acres where the Virgin Mary appeared survived. Learn the miraculous story and receive FREE cards with the Shrine’s official prayer to Our Lady of Champion for your intentions. Code Loop2free gets TWO cards (1 to keep, 1 to share) GET YOUR 2 FREE PRAYER CARDS

NPR RETRACTS FALSE ALITO RETIREMENT REPORT Justice Samuel Alito has not announced his retirement, despite a June 30 NPR report claiming he had — a story that appeared online for about five minutes before the network retracted it, attributing the error to veteran correspondent Nina Totenberg, who had misunderstood Chief Justice John Roberts' announcement about the retirement of court staff members. Totenberg, who has covered the Supreme Court since 1975, called the incident a "rookie mistake." READ

RECORD HEAT KILLS AT LEAST 22 OVER FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND A dangerous heat dome stretching across the eastern two-thirds of the country put more than 140 million people under heat alerts over the Fourth of July, with temperatures topping 100 degrees in over 20 states and at least 25 heat-related deaths reported from Mississippi to New Jersey — many found in homes without air conditioning. READ

THE WORLD CUP The soccer event uniting countries from around the world shows that true diversity requires patriotism, not homogeneity, writes Zeale's Ava Cilento. READ

CATHOLIC 101 Even devout Catholics can become lukewarm in their spiritual life without realizing it. But once you do realize you've strayed in your relationship with Our Lord, these prayers, novenas, and spiritual works can help you return to Him. READ

SAINT OF THE DAY Today the Church celebrates Saint Maria Goretti, an 11-year-old Italian martyr who died in 1902 after resisting Alessandro Serenelli’s assault and forgiving him before her death. Her witness helped lead Serenelli to repentance, and he later became a Franciscan lay brother. READ

DAILY PSALM "The Lord is gracious and merciful." (Psalm 145) READ

DAILY READINGS Today's Mass readings. READ

NEW EPISODE What are the most patriotic movies ever made? From Rocky IV and Apollo 13 to Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and John Adams, Erika counts down her favorite films and series for America's 250th birthday. History, heroes, aliens, and a few surprising picks await. Check out the latest episode of The Deep, now on Zeale. WATCH

SUPPORT THE MISSION OF CATHOLICVOTE If the LOOP has helped you stay informed and better prepared to engage today’s cultural and political challenges, would you consider helping sustain it? Champions are CatholicVote’s monthly supporters who make this work possible, powering the LOOP and supporting our reporting, advocacy, and voter education efforts year-round. Join the Champions Club today with a monthly gift of $10 or more and help keep Catholics informed and engaged. BECOME A CHAMPION