LOOP: VP Vance, Secretary of State Rubio to attend papal mass

SATURDAY, MAY 17 VP VANCE, SECRETARY OF STATE RUBIO TO ATTEND PAPAL MASS The Office of the Vice President has announced that Vice President JD Vance, who is a Catholic convert, and Second Lady Usha Vance, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette, who are both Catholic, will attend the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican this Sunday, May 18.  READ TRUMP-BACKED BUDGET BILL BLOCKED BY 5 REPUBLICANS President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" was blocked Friday after five House Republicans joined Democrats to oppose it in the House Budget Committee, citing its projected impact on the national debt.  READ SUPREME COURT BLOCKS ADMIN BID TO SWIFTLY DEPORT GANG MEMBERS  The Supreme Court on Friday ruled 7-2 against the Trump administration's attempt to swiftly deport Venezuelan gang members under the Alien Enemies Act, requiring officials to provide more than 24 hours for detainees to challenge their removal.  READ AD: PREPARE FOR MARRIAGE WITH THIS YOUNG ADULT WORKSHOP! Join other Catholic singles looking to form healthy lasting relationships founded on Christ. Led by Family Life Director, Cristina D'Averso-Collins, explore topics that build authentic relationships including virtue, personal healing, overcoming obstacles and more. Come learn in a stress-free online environment! Get the mentorship you need by registering for 'Prepared to Love' by 5/20!  LEARN MORE RFK: TRUMP'S LOWERING OF DRUG PRICES DOES WHAT DEMS FAILED TO Democratic politicians who have long promised Americans they would greatly reduce the cost of pharmaceuticals never followed through with that commitment because they were enslaved to drug company lobbyists who secured millions in funds for their political campaigns, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. argued this week.  READ AD: SWITCH TO THE PHONE COMPANY THAT SHARES YOUR BELIEFS!  Now more than ever, it's important to "buy the way you believe" and do business with companies that support what you stand for. When you switch your phone service to Charity Mobile, you can support Pro-Life, Pro-Family causes just by using your cell phone—and save money at the same time! Plus, new customers get a free phone offer with promo code LOOP.  LEARN MORE TRUMP APPOINTS BISHOPS, CATHOLIC LAY LEADERS TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM GROUP Several Catholic clergy members and two lay Catholic legal experts will serve on advisory boards Trump set up for the Religious Liberty Commission, the White House announced yesterday.  READ GOOGLE SEARCHES FOR 'HOW TO BECOME CATHOLIC' SKYROCKET  The Google search "how to become a Catholic" rose by 373% April 20–26, the days marking the late Pope Francis' final public appearance and death and setting the stage for the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV. LOOPers: Do you have friends interested in becoming Catholic? Be sure to forward this story to them, and encourage them to sign up for the LOOP at CatholicVote.org/GetLOOP!  READ LOOPcast Vance is visiting the Vatican... how will the American Pope respond to the issues so near and dear to our hearts? SCOTUS considers birthright citizenship, and a new AI school makes time for critical life skills… like jigsaw puzzles. Finally, what is Theo Von doing in Qatar?! All this and more on the LOOPcast!  WATCH BACON BREAKFAST 25 WAYS Bacon for breakfast does not consist only of a few strips of crispy deliciousness on the side of your plate. There are tons of ways you can incorporate this seasoning of the gods into your meal. From BLT egg bakes to herbed bacon tart to sheepherder's potatoes, here are 25 ways to do it.  READ ULTIMATE MEMORIAL DAY GUIDE  Get America's 250th birthday started early with a Memorial Day to remember. From CatholicVote's Refine team, here is your Ultimate Guide to Memorial Day, covering everything from food and drinks to vibe and ceremony. And don't forget a nod to the Pope!  READ BE YOUR SON'S DRINKING COACH  Dads, someone's going to teach your son how to drink. Let it be you. From Alvaro de Vicente's Substack "Men in the Making," here's how you teach your son to buck a culture of poor drinking and become someone who can be temperate while also enjoying himself.  READ CATHOLIC 101  Is the brown scapular some sort of "lucky charm" that superstitious Catholics like to wear? Far from it. Here is exactly what Our Lady promised those who wear the brown scapular. READ SAINT OF THE DAY Today the Church celebrates Saint Antonia Mesina, a teenage martyr of purity who was killed defending herself from assault in 1935. A model of lay holiness and activism, she is now a patroness of rape victims. READ SATURDAY'S PSALM  "All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God." (Psalm 98:3)  READ SATURDAY'S READINGS  Saturday's Mass readings.  READ SUNDAY'S PSALM  "I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God." (Psalm 145:1)  READ SUNDAY'S READINGS  Sunday's Mass readings.  READ ANSWER TO THE TRIVIA  "Ablution." THE FATHER OF OREGO  Dubbed posthumously the "Father of Oregon," Dr. John McLoughlin exercised almost absolute authority over the land west of the Rockies, north of California, and south of Russian America. He ran the fur trade, established the lumber and salmon business, and welcomed settlers at the end of the Oregon Trail. A baptized but non-practicing Catholic, McLoughlin assisted missionary priests in establishing schools – a move that led him to return to his faith and even merited personal thanks from Pope Gregory XVI in 1847. READ The LOOP is a publication of CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization. The LOOP is organized, funded, and published by faithful Catholic laity. 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