The LOOP

The Monday Loop - November 24, 2025

POPE APPEALS FOR RELEASE OF HOSTAGES

Pope Leo XIV urged the immediate release of hundreds of students, staff, and clergy kidnapped in Nigeria and Cameroon, expressing deep concern for the young victims and their families. He asked authorities to act swiftly and called the faithful to pray for their safe return.

TRUMP EXPANDS EFFORT TO STOP ANTI-CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA

The Trump administration is intensifying its response to rising violence against Christians in Nigeria, warning of potential aid cuts as senior U.S. officials push Abuja to take urgent, sustained action.

MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., announced late Friday she will resign her seat in Congress, one week after President Donald Trump publicly pulled his endorsement of the outspoken Georgia lawmaker.

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STOP ‘DOOMSCROLLING,’ FIND PURPOSE IN CHRIST

In his World Youth Day message, Pope Leo XIV warned that endless online scrolling leaves young people “empty-hearted,” urging them to seek meaning through friendship with Christ and become “artisans of peace” in a divided world.

MUSIC AS LOVING SERVICE TO THE CHURCH

At the Jubilee of Choirs, Pope Leo XIV urged musicians to see their work as a ministry rooted in love. He reminded them that liturgical music should lead the faithful in prayer and reflect the Church’s harmony.

US TO DESIGNATE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

President Trump said his administration is finalizing plans to label the Muslim Brotherhood a foreign terrorist organization, a move he vowed would be issued “in the strongest terms” amid rising pressure from lawmakers and recent state-level designations.

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‘VIVA CRISTO REY!’ THE MARTYRDOM OF BL. MIGUEL PRO

Blessed Miguel Pro, whose feast is celebrated Nov. 23, was a Jesuit priest executed in 1927 after secretly ministering during Mexico’s persecution of the Church, met the firing squad with outstretched arms and the cry “Viva Cristo Rey!” — a witness of courage that continues to inspire the faithful today.

POPE MARKS NICAEA ANNIVERSARY WITH CALL TO DEFEND FAITH

In an apostolic letter for the 1,700th anniversary of Nicaea, Pope Leo XIV urged Christians to uphold the faith with conviction.

GO AMISH ON AI?

We could critique the Amish on many things, but we can also learn from them. We are at an Amish moment with AI, says Chad Engelland, a philosophy professor. The thing is, the Amish don't just opt out of modern technology — they opt in to excellent craftsmanship. What does AI do for us that we should at least be capable of doing ourselves? At what point does the "help" of these technologies actually become permanent dependence?

CATHOLIC 101

At Substack Men in the Making, Alvaro de Vicente points out that just because something is common doesn't mean it's natural. Here, he illustrates how porn — which is pervasive — denatures boys and men, and freedom from it allows masculine nature to develop to its fullest potential.

SAINT OF THE DAY

Today the Church honors St. Andrew Dung-Lac and 116 companions, canonized by St. John Paul II for their witness during 19th-century persecutions in Vietnam.

DAILY PSALM

"Glory and praise for ever!" (Daniel 3)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

BEAUTY

The Tölzer Knabenchor performs "Hallelujah" from Handel’s Messiah, filling the Sagrada Familia with truly heavenly music.