The LOOP
The Friday Loop - May 22, 2026
Miami Cuban Americans celebrate Castro indictment: ‘It’s about time’
Emotional scenes unfolded across Miami on May 21 after U.S. officials announced the indictment of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 shootdown of civilian aircraft operated by the humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue.
In Brief
Rep. Smith says Rubio faces ‘tall task’ in India amid religious freedom concerns
Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said in an op-ed published May 21 that Secretary of State Marco Rubio faces a “tall task” during his upcoming trip to India, warning that the country is considering legislation that he said could pose an imminent threat to religious liberty and damage ties between Washington and New Delhi.
Feeding Our Future ‘mastermind’ sentenced to 41 years amid Minnesota Medicaid fraud crackdown
Federal officials announced sweeping new Medicaid fraud charges in Minnesota May 21, accusing 15 defendants of schemes involving more than $90 million in alleged losses tied to autism services, disability care, housing support, and child care programs. The announcement came just hours after Aimee Bock, the “mastermind” behind the massive Feeding Our Future case, received the longest sentence yet connected to that fraud investigation.
Colorado Supreme Court rules hospital discriminated by suspending gender ‘transition’ services
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled May 18 that a children’s hospital discriminated against “transgender” minors when it suspended access to drugs such as puberty blockers or hormone therapies amid concerns over potential federal sanctions.
After 236 days in the NICU, baby Arya finally comes home
A premature baby girl who was born at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at 24 weeks gestation and spent 236 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has finally been released after surviving a series of serious medical complications.
Oklahoma designates abortion pill trafficking as a felony offense
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill May 19 making abortion pill trafficking a felony offense in the state, with the legislation’s sponsors saying the measure is intended to protect women from coercion and from taking the drugs without medical oversight.
JD Vance speaks on faith, conversion at Catholic event on Capitol Hill
Vice President JD Vance spoke May 21 at a monthly gathering of Catholic lawmakers and congressional staffers on Capitol Hill, sharing details of his conversion to Catholicism and his thoughts on the role of faith in public life.
Eucharistic revival in Pacific Northwest draws thousands of Catholics
More than 3,000 Catholics gathered in Bellevue, Washington, for the ASCEND Eucharistic Revival, an event the organization described in a May 20 press release as one of the “largest gatherings of Pacific Northwest Catholics in decades.”
Boyhood to manhood: Discerning next steps
So, you want to be a man? It’s a noble ambition, but in a world that treats growing up like a burden and masculinity like a pathology, many young men reach the end of high school or college and feel paralyzed.
An American Pope: The First Year
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Saint of the Day
Saint Rita
Today, the Church celebrates the feast of, a patroness of mothers and of impossible causes!
DAILY PSALM
The Lord has established his throne in heaven.Read the full passage → (opens in new tab)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
Full Readings at USCCB (opens in new tab)Catholic 101
Catholic 101
The United States is home to nearly 90 Blesseds, Venerables, and Servants of God. Here's a closer look at just a few of these could-be saints.
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