The LOOP
The Friday Loop - October 30, 2026
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TRUMP, TALARICO HOLD RIVAL TEXAS RALLIES AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY
President Donald Trump and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico held rival rallies miles apart in Lubbock, Texas, Oct. 27, as Republican Ken Paxton sought to retain a Senate seat the GOP has held since 1961. RealClearPolling rated the race a toss-up, with Talarico leading Paxton by 1.8 percentage points in its polling average.
CATHOLICS DECRY USCCB ATTORNEY’S ‘PERSONHOOD’ COMMENTS ON CENSUS COUNT
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ general counsel, William Quinn, argued that rule changes to the census risk denying “personhood” to foreign nationals. Catholic leaders from CatholicVote, the Heritage Foundation, the Center for Immigration Studies, and other corners of law and public policy criticized the public comment as “absurd,” saying that it does not represent Catholic teaching.
POLL: CROWLEY NARROWLY AHEAD OF TIFFANY IN WISCONSIN GUBERNATORIAL RACE
Democrat David Crowley leads Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany 47.7% to 44.6% in a new League of American Workers poll, with 7.7% undecided. League founder and CatholicVote senior political advisor Steve Cortes said turnout could decide the contest.
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CHICAGO CANONS INVITE CATHOLICS TO PRAY FOR DEPARTED, JOIN MOZART REQUIEM MASS
The Canons Regular of St. John Cantius are inviting Catholics worldwide to join the final days of their All Souls’ novena, reflecting on death, eternity, and the Church’s call to pray for the faithful departed. The novena concludes Nov. 1, ahead of the community’s annual Mozart Requiem Mass in Chicago on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, which will also be livestreamed.
OP-ED: EL-SAYED’S JFK COMPARISON REFLECTS ‘OBVIOUS ANTI-CATHOLICISM’
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s invocation of former President John F. Kennedy’s Catholicism is “one long distraction” from legitimate questions about his views on the Muslim Brotherhood, columnist Kathryn Jean Lopez argued in a National Review op-ed.
VILLANOVA, NOTRE DAME TO OPEN BASKETBALL SEASON IN ROME
Two Catholic universities will tip off their basketball seasons in the Eternal City on Nov. 1. Inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s election, the event also offers packages featuring a private Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and a planned papal audience.
AD: MAKE YOUR HOME A FAMILY ADVENT CENTER
Pray with A Heart Made Ready and Journey to Bethlehem, color the Nativity with Little Hearts, and share Rocky’s story of hope, peace, joy and love. “…very touching daily reflections” — Steve J. Explore Road to Purity’s Advent books and prepare for Jesus together. EXPLORE
VERMONT FAMILY FIGHTS TUITION AID DENIAL OVER DAUGHTER’S CATHOLIC EDUCATION
A Vermont family says the state denied their daughter tuition assistance because she attends a Catholic school. Their lawsuit argues the exclusion violates their First Amendment right to choose a religious education.
VATICAN FOREIGN MINISTER DESCRIBES POPE’S CANCER DIAGNOSIS AS ‘A BIT OF A GAME CHANGER’
The archbishop who meets weekly with Pope Leo to update him on foreign affairs said this week that the Pontiff’s lung cancer diagnosis is “a bit of a game changer” that disillusions the perception that he is “a Superpope,” and reminds everyone that he is a mortal like everyone else. “I think that that is going to change how we see him and possibly how he sees himself as well,” he said.
NOT TO BE MISSED...
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP: Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP:
- The Colorado County Clerks say they're ready for anything as they prepare for Nov. 3.
- Democratic gubernatorial nominee Crowley was allegedly promised $250,000 to exit Wisconsin's primary race.
- Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens’ fiancé is crossing party lines to vote for Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race.
HALLOWEEN CANDY GAME PLAN
The costumes are prepped and the buckets are ready, but before you head out the door to fill them with more sugar than any parent wants to approve, check out Zeale’s Lifestyle’s tried-and-true candy game plan guide.
CATHOLIC 101
Most Catholics know that they have to bring mortal sins to confession. But what about venial sins? If they don't destroy charity, then they can't be that dangerous, right? Catholic Answers explains why Catholics still need to avoid venial sins, even if they aren't as spiritually dangerous as mortal sins.
SAINT OF THE DAY
After losing his family and facing financial hardship, St. Alphonsus Rodriguez entered religious life and spent decades serving as a doorkeeper at a Jesuit college. His life shows how even the simplest acts of kindness can become ways of serving Christ.
DAILY PSALM
"How great are the works of the Lord!" (Psalm 111)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
NEW EPISODE
Christian commentator Samuel Sey faces deportation after an ICE arrest in Ohio. Meanwhile, the midterms enter their final stretch, and Josh (aka the Oracle of Petoskey) gives his final predictions for Election Day. And finally, US Catholic Bishops are under fire for praying with President Trump in the Oval Office. All this and more on the LOOPcast! WATCH ON ZEALE
THE MIDTERMS WILL SHAPE AMERICA’S FUTURE
The outcome of the midterm elections will have a lasting impact on our country. CatholicVote is working to educate and mobilize Catholic voters in the races that matter most. Become a Champion with a monthly gift of $10 or more and help power this work through the election and beyond. BECOME A CHAMPION
