The LOOP
The Friday Loop - November 7, 2025
TRUMP VOWS TO PROTECT CHRISTIANS GLOBALLY
President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. is ready to protect Christians in countries where they are being slaughtered. Expanding on his previous commitment to defend persecuted Christians in Nigeria, he stated: “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world."
HIGH COURT ALLOWS POLICY AGAINST 'NON-BINARY' PASSPORTS
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration permission to enforce its policy of requiring that every passport display a person’s true sex, a decision that blocks a lower court order and marks another victory for the administration on the high court’s emergency docket.
AIRLINES, PASSENGERS SCRAMBLE AS OFFICIALS CUT FLIGHTS
Airlines and travelers are rushing to adjust plans after U.S. transportation officials announced a 10% reduction in flight traffic at 40 major airports beginning today, Nov. 7. The officials cited safety concerns related to the government shutdown as it drags into its second month.
NANCY PELOSI WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION NEXT YEAR
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced this week that she will not seek reelection in 2026, marking the last days of a nearly four-decade career in Congress. The controversial pro-abortion Catholic politician cited Saint Francis of Assisi in her announcement, claiming, "I’ve always honored the soul of Saint Francisco — ‘Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.’"
ADMIN TO APPEAL FEDERAL JUDGE RULING ON USE OF FORCE
After a federal judge imposed a number of restrictions on federal officers' use of force in Chicago, the Department of Homeland Security vowed to appeal the ruling. Despite "real dangers," a DHS spokesperson said, "our law enforcement shows incredible restraint in exhausting all options before force is escalated."
MORE YOUNG MEN THAN EVER DISCERN MILITARY CHAPLAINCY
A record-setting group of 38 young men gathered last week at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore to discern a unique calling: serving both God and country as Catholic military chaplains.
CATHOLICVOTE ADVISOR: WHAT GOP CAN LEARN FROM MAMDANI
After democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York City mayoral race, CatholicVote Senior Political Advisor Steve Cortes is asking conservatives to reflect on a pressing question: What can they learn from Mamdani’s win?
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STEP INTO THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS
Experience the wonder of the Nativity through Scripture, prayer, and reflection that draw you into the mystery of the Incarnation. Perfect for families, parish groups, or quiet personal devotion — a beautiful way to keep Christ at the center of your Christmas season.
POPE LEO MEETS WITH PRESIDENT OF PALESTINE
Pope Leo received President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine Nov. 6 at the Vatican, where the two discussed achieving a two-state solution with Israel and the “urgent need” for aid in Gaza, according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office.
EPISCOPALIAN THREATENS PRO-LIFERS WITH FAKE GRENADE
A congregant at a South Carolina Episcopalian church was arrested Sunday after he approached a group of pro-lifers and threatened them with what had appeared to be a hand grenade. According to video footage of the incident, he said, “I have a grenade for y’all. A gift for you protestors.”
NOT TO BE MISSED
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP: • A Nigerian-American expert is defending Trump's confrontation of Islamist violence in Nigeria. • A new analysis argued that the surge in "transgender youth" is the result of social contagion, not biology. • Polling shows the public is now less concerned about crime than in previous years.
TIPS FOR OLD AGE FROM AN OLD MAN
"Now that I’ve spent a few years as what we euphemistically call a senior citizen," says Jeff Minick at Intellectual Takeout, "I’ve discovered that the autumn of life isn’t so bad." Here are his eight tips for those who have breached 70, along with a good dose of humor.
CATHOLIC 101
Saint Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church, was instrumental during the Counter-Reformation, a time that needed a rearticulation of the true Church. Her treatises on prayer and the Christian life remain one of the greatest treasures in Christian spirituality. Here are three simple steps in prayer that we can take based on her direction.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today the Church honors Saint Peter Ou, a Chinese convert to Catholicism. He became a catechist and led many others to Christ. Eventually, he endured torture for his faith and was martyred in 1814 for refusing to step on a crucifix in an act of ritual apostasy. Pope Saint John Paul II canonized Peter in 2000.
DAILY PSALM
"The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power." (Psalm 98)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
THE DEEP
In this episode of, Erika breaks down the recent study from the Catholic Project that shows a consistent shift among younger priests toward more conservative and traditional views. What do the numbers actually show? And does this shift reveal a hopeful future for the Church?