The LOOP
The Thursday Loop - December 4, 2025
FOREIGN ANTI-CHRISTIANS TO LOSE VISA PRIVILEGES
The State Department yesterday announced the U.S. will impose new visa restrictions on anyone accused of orchestrating or enabling religious violence against Christians abroad. The move comes in response to ongoing anti-Christian attacks in Nigeria and elsewhere.
HHS CONFRONTS SCHOOL OVER VIOLATING RELIGIOUS VAX EXEMPTION
The Department of Health and Human Services has opened a civil rights investigation into allegations that a Midwestern school vaccinated a student without parental consent, ignoring the family’s religious exemption. The investigation is part of the agency’s broader push to reinforce parental authority in children’s medical care.
TRUMP: SOMALI IMMIGRANTS 'CONTRIBUTE NOTHING'
President Donald Trump unleashed a series of harsh remarks against Somali immigrants this week, calling them “garbage” and accusing them of abusing U.S. welfare programs, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly prepares a deportation operation targeting Somali nationals in Minnesota.
MILITARY ABP. REMINDS ADMIN OF ETHICS IN NARCO STRIKES
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who leads the Archdiocese for the Military Services, issued a statement yesterday urging U.S. officials to ensure that all military efforts to stop drug trafficking remain firmly grounded in morality, legality, and respect for human dignity. The Catholic leader's statement comes amid mounting criticism of the Trump administration's deadly strikes on ships in the Caribbean.
TRUMP PARDONS PRO-BORDER TEXAS DEMOCRAT
Trump announced yesterday that he is issuing a full pardon to Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and his wife, who last year were indicted on charges related to allegedly accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes. The Democratic congressman has repeatedly broken with party leadership to speak in favor of increased border security.
POPE REVEALS BOOK TO READ TO UNDERSTAND HIS SPIRITUALITY
Pope Leo told reporters this week that the book to if you wish to understand his personal spirituality is “The Practice of the Presence of God,” by Brother Lawrence. The short, 20-page book is a compilation of a friar’s letters and conversations. Learn more about this small spiritual masterpiece here.
INDIAN GOVT. DENIES VISA TO FRANKLIN GRAHAM
The Indian government is facing scrutiny after denying a visa to American evangelist Rev. Franklin Graham, forcing him to cancel his scheduled Nov. 30 visit to Nagaland. Local Christians decried the move, calling it "discriminatory" and evidence of the ruling establishment's animosity toward Christians.
SUPREME COURT CAN TRANSFORM PRO-LIFE CLINIC CASES
An upcoming U.S. Supreme Court ruling on a dispute between New Jersey’s attorney general and a crisis pregnancy center will set an important precedent for how state leaders across the country treat pro-life organizations. Here are the details.
POPE TO AWARD CONDUCTOR WITH RATZINGER PRIZE
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Conductor Emeritus Riccardo Muti, a world-renowned conductor whose artistry has shaped orchestras from Milan to Chicago, will be honored at the Vatican this month when Pope Leo presents him with the Ratzinger Prize. The award has widely been described as the “Nobel Prize of Theology.”
NOT TO BE MISSED...
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP:
ADVENT RESOURCES
Advent is a rich season, with devotions, rituals, feast days, and hands-on activities. Here is a thorough resource guide that will help you form your own approach to the season.
CATHOLIC 101
Are you a daily Massgoer? Many saints have recommended daily Mass attendance to those who can make it. Here are four reasons why.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today is the feast day of St. Clement of Alexandria, a great second-century theologian who applied classical philosophy to the articulation of Catholic doctrine. His writings had a great influence on many Church fathers.
DAILY PSALM
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." (Psalm 118)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
JOIN CV PRESIDENT KELSEY REINHARDT TONIGHT
Join us December 4 at 9 p.m. Eastern for a livestreamed conversation with CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt hosted by David Bereit, founder of 40 Days for Life. You won’t want to miss this!
