The LOOP
The Friday Loop - December 19, 2025
TRUMP ORDERS RECLASSIFICATION OF MARIJUANA
President Donald Trump signed an executive order yesterday directing federal agencies to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, marking one of the most significant shifts in U.S. drug policy in decades.
NEARLY HALF OF SENATE GOP WARNED TRUMP ON WEED
Nearly half of Senate Republicans publicly urged Trump to abandon plans to reclassify marijuana under federal law, warning the move would harm public health, workplace safety, and the economy.
HEALTH DEPT MOVES TO DEFUND CHILD SEX CHANGES
The Trump administration on Dec. 18 took its most aggressive federal action yet against “transgender” medical interventions for minors, with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announcing six regulatory and administrative moves aimed at ending what he called “sex-rejecting procedures” for children.
MASSACHUSETTS BACKS DOWN ON LGBT FOSTER RULE
In a win for religious families, Massachusetts has amended a policy that banned foster parents who refuse to promote gender ideology from having children in their care.
BROWN UNIVERSITY SUSPECT FOUND DEAD
“Providence police have identified a former Brown University student and Portuguese national, Claudio Neves Valente, as the suspect in Saturday’s shooting at the Ivy League school,” The New York Post reports. Valente “was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a nearly weeklong manhunt.”
CARDINAL DOLAN, BISHOP HICKS HOLD PRESSER
Cardinal Timothy Dolan and his newly named successor, Bishop Ronald Hicks, held a press conference yesterday in which the cardinal welcomed the incoming archbishop of New York. Bishop Hicks expressed his gratitude to Pope Leo and his love for Jesus Christ, while Cardinal Dolan praised his successor.
FBI DEPUTY DIRECTOR DAN BONGINO TO RESIGN
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced Dec. 17 that he will resign in January, ending a short tenure as the agency’s second-highest-ranking official. The prominent conservative commentator began his tenure in March. Bongino did not share specific future plans or specify his departure date.
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BEFORE HIM, WE ARE MADE WHOLE
‘Holy Hours of Meditation and Healing’ invites you into a sacred encounter with the living Christ through guided reflections and prayerful meditations. Within the stillness of Adoration, you are led to surrender deep wounds, confront fear with hope, and rediscover the unshakable love of God.
POPE LEO ISSUES STATEMENT FOR WORLD DAY OF PEACE
In a message published yesterday for the World Day of Peace, Pope Leo spoke on the gift of peace offered by Jesus Christ and how countries seeking security and stability should rely on this gift rather than the power a military presents.
UK NATIONAL TRUST ACCUSED OF DISCRIMINATION
Catholic filmmaker Christian Holden was denied permission by the UK’s National Trust to film scenes for a documentary at St. Cuthbert’s Cave because of his religious affiliation. Filmmakers and producers accused the National Trust of religious discrimination and erasing Christian heritage at a historically Christian site.
EASY CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST
There's so much to prepare for Christmas dinner that we might forget about breakfast! You definitely want something easy, but it would be nice to make it special as well. Here are several great ideas that are either make-ahead or last-minute.
CATHOLIC 101
“The military didn’t change David, but it did make him more David,” said a friend to David's wife. Tara Wight shows how serving in the Marine Corps revealed characteristics and honed skills in her husband, herself, and their little boys, and taught them to rely on God.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today the Church celebrates Pope Blessed Urban V (1310-1370), who led the Church from 1362 until his death eight years later. Before assuming the papacy, he was a Benedictine monk, and he continued to wear his habit during his pontificate. One of his priorities was keeping the peace between the various European powers and their competing interests. Urban notably served as pope while the papacy was exiled to Avignon, France.
DAILY PSALM
"My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!" (Psalm 71)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
THE DEEP
America is suffering from a quiet estrangement crisis. One-third of adults are cutting off family, and politics and social media are fueling the divide. Is reconciliation still possible? In this episode of we take a sober, compassionate look at loss, loyalty, and what Christmas asks of us.
