The LOOP

The Thursday Loop - November 20, 2025

ABP. GOMEZ PROPOSES A WAY FORWARD ON IMMIGRATION

Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles wrote in a column this week that while he joins his fellow bishops in decrying the mistreatment of immigrants, he also believes politicians, business leaders, and activist groups have long exploited the border issue for their own advantage by allowing a broken immigration system to continue. Under the Trump administration, the "border has been secured," Archbishop Gomez wrote, giving leaders an opportunity to pursue a better way forward.

ALL FOOD STAMP RECIPIENTS MUST REAPPLY FOR BENEFITS

The Trump administration is requiring all food stamp recipients to reapply for benefits as part of its effort to curb fraud. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said that the requirement is meant to ensure aid only goes to those who “are vulnerable and... can’t survive without it.”

47% OF AMERICANS WORRY ABOUT PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE

Nearly half of Americans (47%) fear they won’t be able to afford needed health care in the next year, according to a recent West Health and Gallup report. Gallup reported that the level of concern is the highest recorded since the group began tracking the issue in 2021 and underscores “widespread and worsening problems” across the country.

ALIGN YOUR CATHOLIC VALUES WITH YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS

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RAPPER DEFENDS NIGERIAN CHRISTIANS IN POWERFUL UN SPEECH

Speaking before diplomats and faith leaders at the UN, rapper Nicki Minaj used her platform to spotlight the escalating violence against Christians in Nigeria, emphasizing that defending persecuted believers is "not about taking sides or dividing people."

POPE LEO SPEAKS WITH FILM INDUSTRY

Speaking to filmmakers at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV called to protect cinema's spiritual and communal role at a time when theaters are disappearing and audiences are thinning, calling it a place where audiences "cross a threshold" to rediscover meaning and hope.

ANALYSIS: HOW ONLINE NARRATIVES ABOUT THE POPE SPIN OUT OF CONTROL

The World Day of the Poor lunch meant to promote dignity and solidarity was distorted online into clashing culture-war narratives that mischaracterized what actually unfolded among the 1,300 people present.

ANSWER THE CALL

Join a cell phone service that supports your pro-life values by switching to Charity Mobile today!

POPE LEO REFLECTS ON RESURRECTION AND ECOLOGY AT GENERAL AUDIENCE

At his latest general audience, Pope Leo XIV explored how the Resurrection shapes a Christian understanding of ecology, drawing from Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Christ.

BIBLE SALES RISE AGAIN IN THE US, CONTINUING MULTI-YEAR SURGE

Bible sales in the U.S. are rising again in 2025, up 14% to 18.4 million copies, extending a trend that industry analysts say has been building since 2021 and is now pushing the market toward specialty and study editions.

'I'M OKAY, DADDY!'

Here's a delightful yet sobering reminder that God loves us the way we love little children. More to the point: He wants us to be like those children ourselves.

CATHOLIC 101

We feel we always want to ask God for more. Even if we stop ourselves because we don't think we should, we desire more. More patience, more trust, more time, more stability, more peace. "Ask and you shall receive." But maybe the problem is that we don't know how to receive it. Maybe, due to our own blind faults, we're continually missing what God pours out for us.

SAINT OF THE DAY

Saint Bernward was a gifted bishop, teacher, and craftsman whose deep life of prayer and extraordinary artistic skill were wholly devoted to the service of the Church.

DAILY PSALM

"To the upright I will show the saving power of God." (Psalm 50)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

TRUTH

“The bishops’ appeal is an appeal to conscience, and our report is an appeal to prudence.” — CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt