LOOP: Trump officially calls out Christian persecution in Nigeria

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 TRUMP OFFICIALLY CALLS OUT CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 - ALL SAINTS DAY TRUMP TAKES STAND AGAINST ISLAMISTS IN NIGERIA  President Donald Trump yesterday declared Nigeria a "country of particular concern," answering calls from Catholic and other leaders for the U.S. government to confront the persecution of Christians there. "Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter," Trump stated. "I am hereby making Nigeria a 'COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN'..."  READ TRUMP CALLS SENATE GOP TO NUKE THE FILIBUSTER  Trump yesterday called on Republican senators to pursue the "nuclear option" and get rid of the filibuster in order to end the government shutdown. In recent years, Democrats have numerous times called for the same in order to get their own bills passed, while Republicans have typically defended the filibuster as an important safeguard against bad policy being rammed through Congress.  READ NEW AMERICAN SAINT?  A New Jersey diocesan commission has opened a canonization inquiry for a Catholic University of America student who was killed by a gunman in 2020.  READ AD: MAKE EVERY PHONE CALL COUNT…FOR LIFE!  Are you still giving your hard-earned money to a phone company that doesn't support your values? With Charity Mobile, 5% of your monthly plan price supports life-affirming causes and ministries across the country — at no extra cost to you! All plans are under $50 before taxes and surcharges, and every new line gets a free phone offer with promo code LOOP.  LEARN MORE THE STORY BEHIND THE KNIGHTS' COAT DRIVE  The Knights of Columbus in Canada is working to help keep kids warm through the nation's cold winter by aiming to distribute 40,000 coats to children! It's a tradition that began in 2008 in Canada. The Knights in the U.S. followed suit in 2009 and have repeated the coat drive every year since.  READ AD: START ANYTIME, LEARN ANYWHERE - HOMESCHOOL MADE SIMPLE  Building your perfect homeschool schedule just got easier! With Unlimited Access to hundreds of recorded courses from faithful Catholic instructors, you can start and stop anytime—no pressure, no deadlines. Explore everything from Literature to Chemistry, all on your family's schedule and budget.  LEARN MORE PRO-LIFE VICTORY IN CALIFORNIA  In an ongoing lawsuit filed by the state of California's attorney general against two pro-life organizations for promoting abortion pill reversal, an Illinois judge this week ordered the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to release its communications with state personnel regarding the pill.  READ POPE LEO ANSWERS QUESTIONS ON SYNOD PARTICIPATION  In a wide-ranging Q&A published by the Vatican, the Pope Leo encouraged all Catholics to approach the synod with the idea of "mission, and being missionary" in mind, weighed the challenges and opportunities affecting the Church in Africa and Asia, addressed resistance from some members of the clergy in Canada and the U.S., and more.  READ WORK WITH US!  CatholicVote is looking for passionate, mission-driven people to join the team. Could you be our next hire?  APPLY HERE THE MEANING OF ELEGANCE  The word "elegance" floats around social media these days and usually refers to luxury, quiet indulgence, or expensive taste. But if we dig into the roots of this word, we'll find that "elegance" has a different and more profound meaning and is a practice that can bring us closer to God.  READ FOODS FOR ENERGY  There's no need to default to caffeine every time you need a boost in your day. Get your energy from a variety of sources and your body will be much happier. Here are 8 energy-packed foods to sprinkle throughout your day and keep you chugging along. READ LONESOME DOVE & FRIENDSHIP  Brett McKay from Art of Manliness discusses a great example of male friendship from his favorite novel, Lonesome Dove. Characters Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call embody what have been called the "four tensions" of friendship. These forces can either tear people apart or provide that tang that is the life of every close friendship, depending on how well they're managed.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  During the persecution under Diocletian, so many Christians were martyred that the Church could not give each his or her own commemorative day. Consequently, Catholics celebrated one common day for all saints to ensure each would receive proper honor. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III consecrated a chapel in the Basilica of St. Peter to all the saints and changed the date to November 1 as the anniversary of the celebration. READ SATURDAY'S PSALM  "Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face." (Psalm 24) READ SATURDAY'S READINGS  Saturday's Mass readings. READ SUNDAY'S PSALM  "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want." (Psalm 23) READ SUNDAY'S READINGS  Sunday's Mass readings. READ ANSWER TO THE TRIVIA  According to the editors of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Church recognizes more than 10,000 saints. HAPPY ALL SAINTS DAY!  We asked you to share your kids' and grandkids' cutest and most creative costumes for All Saints Day. Thank you LOOPers – you really delivered! Here are just a few of the terrific photos we received for All Saints Day 2025. VIEW GALLERY Paid for by CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization. Update your email preferences or unsubscribe here. CATHOLICVOTE  |  PO Box 3310  |  Carmel, IN 46082  |  (317) 669-6127