LOOP: Trump hosts Syrian president, once tied to al-Qaeda

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 TRUMP MEETS SYRIAN PRESIDENT, FORMERLY OF AL-QAEDA  President Donald Trump welcomed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander, to the White House this week shortly after the U.S. Treasury Department announced it would remove al-Sharaa and Syria's interior minister from its "Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List" in an effort to "give Syria a chance at greatness."  READ 5 BIG TAKEAWAYS FROM TRUMP'S INGRAHAM INTERVIEW  In a wide-ranging Nov. 10 appearance on FOX News' "The Ingraham Angle," Trump defended plans to accept a large number of Chinese students into U.S. universities, addressed critics of his intention to introduce 50-year mortgages, and excoriated Democrats for prolonging the government shutdown. Here are five major takeaways from the interview.  READ ARCHBISHOP COAKLEY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF US BISHOPS  Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was elected president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops yesterday. In a statement following his election, he reflected on his episcopal motto, Duc in altum ("Put out into the deep"), and asked for prayers as he takes on his new responsibilities.  READ AD: SWITCH TO CHARITY MOBILE AND GET A FREE CHRISTMAS GIFT!  This Christmas season, new customers get a free phone AND free power bank offer when you switch to the pro-life phone company! Five percent of your monthly plan price goes to your favorite pro-life charity at no extra cost, and all plans are under $50 before taxes and surcharges. The offer is open until February 2, 2026, or while supplies last. Use promo code LOOP at checkout!  LEARN MORE FLORIDA AG CONFRONTS MICROSOFT OVER DISCRIMINATION  Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sent a letter to Microsoft's CEO last week and demanded that the company cease its religious discrimination practices against faith-based nonprofit organizations.  READ BISHOPS TO CONSECRATE NATION TO SACRED HEART  The US bishops yesterday voted in favor of consecrating the U.S. to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in June 2026 as a part of the Church's observance of the nation's 250th anniversary.  READ NEW PROGRAM PUSHES LEFT-LEANING MEDIA IN SCHOOLS  The Pennsylvania Department of Education is promoting an "Information and Media Literacy Toolkit" in K-12 schools that directs students toward predominantly left-leaning news outlets. The program identifies NPR, the BBC, The Guardian, Reuters, Al-Jazeera, The Hill, Vox, and the Associated Press as "trusted."  READ AD: ACCESS 7 CATHOLIC MUTUAL FUNDS  With religious values guided by prominent Catholics, including Coach Lou Holtz, Callista Gingrich, and Michael Knowles.  GET INFORMATION TODAY NIGERIAN DIOCESE MOURNS KIDNAPPED SEMINARIAN  The Diocese of Auchi, Nigeria, has announced the death of Emmanuel Alabi, a seminarian who was kidnapped in July by bandits. News of Alabi's death comes just months after another seminarian studying at Immaculate Conception, Peter Andrew, was kidnapped and killed in June.  READ POPE APPOINTS NIGERIAN PRIEST TO PONTIFICAL HOUSEHOLD POST  Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Edward Daniang Daleng, O.S.A., who has served as general counsellor and procurator general of the Order of Saint Augustine, as Vice-Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household.  READ HOUSTON'S SACRED ART PROJECT  Our Church needs a new "epiphany" of beauty and art, as is so clear by walking into just about any suburban church. Houston is bringing back sacred art through showcases and contests. Check out how they're pulling it off, and maybe you'll see how possible it is to bring sacred art into your own parishes!  READ CATHOLIC 101  Saint John Henry Newman, the newest Doctor of the Church, lived through a period of massive change: telegraphs, telephones, electric light, Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto, Darwin's Origin of Species, a shift of Christianity from public to private, the introduction of liberalism and relativism into mainstream culture. Here was Newman's interpretation and vision for the laity in these modern times.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Today the Church honors Saint Josaphat (1580-1623), whose holy example won him the trust and conversion of many Orthodox Christians to the Catholic faith in Ukraine. In 1623, an Orthodox priest organized a mob that brutally murdered Josaphat. The holy archbishop prayed for his attackers even as he died. Five years later, his body was discovered incorrupt.  READ DAILY PSALM  "Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth." (Psalm 82)  READ DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ TRUTH  Abortion must end.  SHARE 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