The LOOP

The Wednesday Loop - December 24, 2025

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE

POPE PRESSED PRITZKER NOT TO SIGN ILLINOIS SUICIDE BILL

Pope Leo said yesterday that he personally pleaded with Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker not to sign a controversial assisted suicide bill into law and was “very disappointed” when the governor signed the bill anyway. "We were very clear about the necessity to respect the sacredness of life from the very beginning to the very end," the Holy Father said, and called on all people to reflect on the sanctity of life in light of Christ's incarnation during the Christmas season.

GOVERNMENT PAUSES FIVE OFF-SHORE WIND FARMS

The United States Department of the Interior announced this week it had paused five off-shore wind farms, a move celebrated by many Republican strategists. CatholicVote’s senior political adviser Steve Cortes called the decision a “big win for common sense, for energy security, our beautiful ocean vistas, and for economic sanity."

ADMIN REJECTS BISHOPS' CALL FOR CHRISTMAS DEPORTATION PAUSE

Florida bishops called for a pause on mass deportations for Christmas, arguing that the Trump administration has already succeeded in securing the borders and ongoing operations often sweep up immigrants with no criminal records. The administration did not respond to the bishops' plea, but stated that deportations will continue as usual.

THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON, CONSIDER HOW YOU BUY

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RUSSIA REPORTEDLY PULLS DIPLOMATS' FAMILIES FROM VENEZUELA

Russia is reportedly removing its diplomats’ families from Venezuela following an escalation of U.S. pressure on Venezuela last week, when President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving the South American country. Russia has denied claims that it is evacuating its embassy.

INSPIRING: SMALL-TOWN COMMITTEE KEEPS NATIVITY SCENE

Despite pressure from the mayor to take their nativity scene down in order to avoid offending people of different faiths, a small South Carolina town committee pushed ahead with their tradition. "How are we supposed to explain to our kids that we have to hide our religion, hide our beliefs, and hide what Christmas is about?"

TEACHER WHO FLUNKED STUDENT FOR CITING BIBLE FIRED

The University of Oklahoma has fired a teaching assistant who had reportedly flunked a student's assignment due to its reliance on a Scripture citation. The University "determined that the graduate teaching assistant was arbitrary in the grading of this specific paper," according to a Monday statement. "The graduate teaching assistant will no longer have instructional duties at the University."

SPREAD HOPE TONIGHT

More than ever children are falling prey to radical sexual ideology.

FOREIGN-BORN CATHOLIC PRIESTS KEEP CHURCHES OPEN

A Dec. 21 article draws attention to a diocese that might show the future of the American church: the Diocese of Greenburg, Pennsylvania, where more than a third of priests hail from countries other than the U.S.

POPE LEO ISSUES APOSTOLIC LETTER ON PRIESTHOOD

Pope Leo this week published an apostolic letter on fidelity and the priestly vocation, calling for renewal and ongoing formation of priests so as to cultivate deeper relationship with the Lord.

REVIEW: 'BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER'

If you're looking for fresh, quirky family fun this Christmas, be sure to add “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” to your watch list! It's a movie that spreads the Christian message of the season without a trace of preachy tone or overt symbolism.

FASCINATING: PAGAN POET PREDICTED CHRIST'S BIRTH

Virgil, the greatest poet in the history of Rome, wrote a poem about the coming birth of a savior king who would bring peace on earth. The kicker? The pagan poet wrote this Christmassy piece about 40 years before Jesus was born! Here's what St. Augustine and other Christians made of it.

DAILY PSALM

"For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord." (Psalm 89)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

DEVOTION

Keep Christ in Christmas!