The LOOP
The Friday Loop - August 1, 2025
TRUMP MAY NIX TRADE DEAL OVER CANADA RECOGNIZING PALESTINE
President Donald Trump threatened to nix a trade deal with Canada after the country moved to recognize Palestinian statehood. France, Britain, and the Vatican made moves similar to Canada this week amid growing international outrage over Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
US BISHOPS URGE TRUMP TO INTERVENE FOR GAZA
Bishop Elias Zaidan, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, praised Trump for acknowledging the starvation of Gazans. "I urge him to demand the immediate expansion of humanitarian assistance through all channels in Gaza," Bishop Zaidan said.
RUBIO CALLS OUT CHINA TARGETING AMERICANS FOR ARREST
In a fiery statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned communist authorities in Hong Kong for issuing arrest warrants and bounties against pro-democracy activists now living in the US. "We will not tolerate the Hong Kong government’s attempts to apply its national security laws to silence or intimidate Americans or anyone on U.S. soil," Rubio said.
BRIAN BURCH NOMINATION MOVES FORWARD
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-SD, took steps Thursday to advance Brian Burch’s nomination as US Ambassador to the Vatican, setting up a possible vote in the coming days. Burch cofounded CatholicVote in 2005, serving as its president for 17 years. Trump nominated him for the ambassador post in December.
CHRISTIAN ADVOCATES SOUND ALARM ON VIOLENCE IN INDIA
A Christian rights group is calling on Indian authorities to respond decisively to a series of violent incidents targeting Christian communities in the central state of Chhattisgarh. Over 160 anti-Christian incidents were reported there in just one year (2024), and the violence is not letting up.
YOUNG MEN VS. PORNOGRAPHY: THE BATTLE IS ON
After decades of increasing use, a growing number of young American men are finally choosing to do battle with pornography. One weapon of choice? A self-improvement app designed to help men quit the habit via daily check-ins, content blockers, and motivational tools.
VATICAN CALLS FOR TWO-STATE SOLUTION IN HOLY LAND
At a United Nations conference in New York this week, the Holy See reaffirmed its longstanding support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, calling it the “only viable and equitable path” to a just and lasting peace.
DISCOUNT: SECURE YOUR SPOT AT 'FOUNDED TO FLOURISH'
CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt will join Bishop Michael Burbidge, Tucker Carlson, Michael Knowles, and other leading Christian commentators at the Founded to Flourish Conference November 3-5. Join them there! Use code CATHOLICVOTE and sign up before August 5 to get $250 off your ticket!
DID VATICAN II LEAD TO A BIG DROP IN CHURCH ATTENDANCE?
The dramatic drop in Mass attendance across the Western world might be able to be traced to the Second Vatican Council, according to a recent analysis by Catholic commentator Phil Lawler. Here's what he found.
DETROIT ARCHBISHOP SCRUTINIZED FOR SEMINARY FIRINGS
After Archbishop Edward Weisenburger of Detroit controversially fired three well-respected professors from Sacred Heart Seminary, one author argued that the firings have done damage to the American Church and to morale on Catholic campuses.
BONUS NEWS
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP: • A Washington Post editorial decried the "judicial overreach" of a judge protecting abortion funding. • A student is suing her college after she had to observe an abortion during a clinical rotation. • Abuse victims unanimously accepted the Diocese of Rochester's $246 million settlement.
WHY BOYS NEED DATING COACHES & HOW TO BE ONE
A predecessor "used to say that the goal of the school is to graduate the kind of man you would want your daughter to marry," writes school headmaster Alvaro de Vincente. "Dating in a healthy way, however, is far from easy." Here's why de Vincente believes boys need coaching, and how that coaching should look.
CATHOLIC 101
Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman will soon be a doctor of the Church! Pope Leo yesterday confirmed plans to declare the English cardinal and convert "doctor," placing him among the Church’s most esteemed theological minds.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today the Church honors Saint Alphonsus Liguori, a doctor of the Church who is widely known for his contribution to moral theology and his great kindness.
DAILY PSALM
"Sing with joy to God our help." (Psalm 81:2)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
GREEN BERET WEEPS OVER PALESTINIAN BOY
A decorated American soldier shared a harrowing story of an emaciated Palestinian boy who walked miles to receive food aid. "He kissed me. He said thank you in English." Moments later, the soldier says, the boy died as Israeli forces fired into the crowd. READ