US blockades ships entering or exiting Iranian ports; Prominent journalist claims Trump is playing chess not checkers with Iran; Secretary Rubio revokes green cards of foreign nationals linked to 1970 Iran hostage crisis; Viktor Orbán loses high-stakes election in Hungary; Three liberal US cardinals slam Trump on 60 Minutes; POTUS posts message to Pope: ‘Stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician’; Cdl. Burke: ‘Trump, Pope Leo want the same thing, peace’; On the first leg of 10-day African journey, Pope Leo recites the Beatitudes: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers …’; WV legislator cites Polish saint known as the ‘Secretary of Divine Mercy’; and more —
U.S. to Blockade Ships Entering or Exiting Iranian Ports
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. ET, in accordance with the President’s proclamation.
The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.
Additional information will be provided to commercial mariners through a formal notice prior to the start of the blockade. All mariners are advised to monitor Notice to Mariners broadcasts and contact U.S. naval forces on bridge-to-bridge channel 16 when operating in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz approaches.
Read more at U.S. Central Command
POTUS responds to first US-Iran meeting, announces blockade of Iranian ports
See @JDVance
JD Vance’s 5 demands at US-Iran meeting
Watch @nicksortor
Benny Johnson claims Trump is playing chess not checkers with Iran
Watch @bennyjohnson
Secretary Rubio revokes green cards of foreign nationals linked to 1970 Iran hostage crisis
See @SecRubio
Background: 444 Days: The Iran Hostage Crisis
It was a 444-day ordeal for the U.S. diplomats held hostage from November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981. This was the start of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Watch at History & Warfare Now
Trump-ally concedes defeat after ruling for 16 years
See @AFP
Hillary Clinton weighs in on Orbán’s defeat
See @HillaryClinton; Barack Obama weighs in on Orbán’s defeat
Dutch commentator responds to Orbán’s defeat
Watch @EvaVlaar
Orban Going, But Orbanism Coming To Europe by Rod Dreher
… Orban may be going, but Orbanism is coming to western Europe. He was right long before others were. I’m just sorry that he’s not going to be around as a national leader to see vindication. But vindication is damn sure coming in elections over the coming years. You watch. …
The EU loves to promote itself as “defending democracy,” but it’s very important for Americans to understand that “democracy” is when voters choose candidates with the EU stamp of approval. I can tell you for certain that the Orban government was prepared, in the event that they won, for “Euromaidan” style mass protests — a color revolution organized by the EU.
It has been key to the anti-Orban messaging over the years to frame him as an anti-democratic autocrat — which is what you get if you stand against the European Union and its globalist, socially liberal technocracy. …
We will no doubt see lots of Atlanticists saying the Orban loss is a big blow to the Trump model of nationalist populism. Well, no, not really. What it is, is a loss to the idea that you can govern as a populist with three years of no economic growth, and with indifference to insiders connected to you getting rich off of cronyism. I remind you: Fidesz is no more or no less corrupt than it ever was, but the economy had been doing well in past Orban terms. When all boats cease to rise, all eyes turn to the yachts.
Still, there’s no question but that nationalist-sovereigntist, Christian conservatives like me have lost a big one here. …
Read more at Rod Dreher’s Diary
Viktor Orbán in his own words: Interview with GBNews
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has told GB News that Europe’s Christian heritage is “dying out” after the continent witnessed a surge in migration. Speaking exclusively with the People’s Channel, Mr Orban insisted religious values and teachings offer a reliable way to offer moral guidance, particularly when it comes to weighing up the good and the bad. Christianity remains the largest religion in Hungary today, making up 43 per cent of the population, with almost 30 per cent of this figure being Catholic. Although it has historically been a Christian nation, no state religion is imposed on its citizens, while freedom of religion is protected.
Watch at GBNews
Cdls. Cupich, McElroy, and Tobin slam Trump on 60 Minutes
Watch @roddreher and @60Minutes
POTUS to the Pope: ‘Stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!
See @MaryMargOlohan; read more at OSV News
Pope Leo’s response to POTUS’ charges
Watch @catholiccourtney
Pope at Saturday’s Prayer Vigil for Peace: ‘Sit at table of dialogue and mediation’
See @VaticanNews
Cdl. Burke: ‘Pope Leo is not the anti-Trump. We pray for peace, but also for the freedom of the Iranian people from the regime’
See @nicospuntoni; read ‘The Pope will never be the hero of the anti-Trump’ – The US cardinal denies the conflict between the two compatriots: ‘They want the same thing, peace’ at il Giornale (translation available)
Pope begins 10-day journey in Africa: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea
See @FrUgochukwu
Christians in Algeria – a new report highlighting the dangerous position of Christians in Algeria
As Algeria prepares to welcome a pope for the first time, a report by the ECLJ sheds a harsh light on the situation of Christians in the country. Church closures, legal proceedings, institutional discrimination: these communities face growing restrictions on their fundamental freedoms.
From April 13 to 15, Pope Leo XIV will visit Algeria. This trip, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the martyrdom of the monks of Tibhirine—murdered in 1996 by an Armed Islamic Group (Groupe islamique armé (GIA)) —also marks the first official visit by a pope to the country.
The man who describes himself as a “spiritual son of Saint Augustine” has stated his desire to “continue the dialogue” following a notable first trip to Turkey and Lebanon, as well as to “forge ties between the Christian and Muslim worlds.” While the vast majority of Algeria’s population is now Muslim, this region was in ancient times a major center of Christianity, before its gradual Islamization through a series of conquests.
Nevertheless, there are more than 150,000 Christians in Algeria, most of whom have converted since the 1990s. The vast majority are Evangelical Protestants, but there is also a small Catholic community, composed mainly of foreigners. Their commitment to the common good does not spare them from facing constant pressure. Christians are indeed bearing the brunt of a policy that seeks to impose a single national identity, both Arab and Muslim. Religious diversity has no place in Tebboune’s* Algeria. *[Abdelmadjid Tebboune, president of Algeria]
Today, the European Centre for Law and Justice highlights this reality in a new report. …
Read more at European Center for Law and Justice
Yesterday Catholics celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday
Watch @breeadail
WV legislator cites Polish saint known as the ‘Secretary of Divine Mercy’ because Jesus appeared to her, revealing God’s great mercy
See @RepRileyMoore; read St. Faustina’s Diary here
Yesterday was the final day of the Easter Octave
From the Gospel: Jesus appeared to His disciples on the evening of the first day of the week. Though the doors were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus stood among them and declared, ‘Peace be with you.’
See @father_rmv
