The LOOP
The Saturday Loop - February 15, 2025
POPE FRANCIS HOSPITALIZED, RECEIVES TREATMENT FOR BRONCHITIS
Pope Francis, 88, was admitted to a hospital for treatment yesterday after worsening symptoms from bronchitis. The Holy See Press Office stated that “initial tests indicate a respiratory tract infection. His clinical condition is stable, with a slight fever.”
VANCE LAMBASTS ELITES IN EUROPE, DEFENDS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Vice President JD Vance in a speech at the Munich Security Conference yesterday accused European leaders of fearing their own voters. He compared Europe's elites to the communists of the Cold War era. “Consider the side in that fight that censored dissidents, that closed churches, that canceled elections,” Vance said.
LOUISIANA CALLS FOR NEW YORK ABORTION DOC TO FACE TRIAL
Louisiana Republican Gov. Jeff Landry has signed an extradition warrant for a New York physician who illegally trafficked abortion pills into Louisiana, which resulted in the death of an unborn baby and the hospitalization of the mother, a minor who was coerced into taking the deadly pills.
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TRUMP ORDER PULLS FUNDING FROM SCHOOLS WITH VAX MANDATES
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to pull federal funding from any school or other educational entity that still mandates COVID shots as a requirement for attendance. Trump said enforcement of the order “will go through the Department of Education.”
FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP CHILD-PROTECTIVE ORDER
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order this week blocking a Trump executive order that was meant to pull federal funding from any institution that subjects children to chemical and surgical “transgender” treatments.
CATHOLIC ATTACKS ON VANCE MAKE CONVERTS FEEL UNWELCOME
A National Catholic Reporter op-ed mocked JD Vance's witness to his Catholic faith as "sophomoric hillbilly theology," an apparent dig at the vice president's adult conversion to Catholicism and his background as the child of an impoverished family in Ohio. CatholicVote Vice President Josh Mercer argues that this and other attacks on Vance only show that certain Catholics "are shockingly unwelcoming" to converts.
LOOPcast
RFK and Tulsi Gabbard get the green light – what does this mean for us? Vance is making us proud to be Catholic, but some are looking down their noses at his “convert” status. Finally, we give an update on DOGE, answer some questions, and show off our valentines! All this and more on the!
PRAYER
Let us pray for Pope Francis, who was hospitalized with bronchitis.
TIPS TO STOP OVERSPENDING
Is your budget blown again? Wondering where the money went? Check out our list of the top 15 things Americans typically overspend on.
SHOP AMERICAN-MADE
Want to support American businesses while enjoying top-quality products? Buying American-made clothing supports the economy and ensures you’re buying quality clothes that are ethically sourced. We've assembled a list of eight American-made clothing companies to get you started.
EXAMINATION OF LOVE
We’re familiar with the Examination of Conscience. How about an? During Lent, we’ll probably do plenty of the former. But an can help us use this holy season to discern how God wants us to deepen our relationship with Him. So here are seven examination questions to ask yourself, written by Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver.
CATHOLIC 101
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati’s second miracle, the one that opened the door to his canonization, is not what many would expect. It wasn’t a huge, dramatic miracle that you’d make a movie about. Some might even find it underwhelming. But this article points out the tenderness of this miracle, how it reveals our great God’s unique love, and how it matches perfectly with Frassati’s personality.
SAINT OF THE DAY
St. Claude de la Colombière (1641-1682) worked closely with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to help spread devotion to the Sacred Heart. When a false rumor spread about him involving a Catholic plot against the English monarchy, he was wrongly accused and imprisoned.
SATURDAY'S PSALM
“In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.” (Psalm 90:1)
SATURDAY'S READINGS
Saturday's Mass readings.
SUNDAY’S PSALM
“Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 40:5)
SUNDAY’S READINGS
Sunday's Mass readings.
ANSWER TO THE TRIVIA
St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City
ARTWORK
“The Invention of the Cross by Empress Helen” was crafted by late-Baroque Italian painter Sebastiano Ricci (1659–1734). Depicted is St. Helen’s discovery of Christ’s cross during her excavations in the Holy Land, and the miraculous cure of a sick man, which confirmed that the artifact was the true holy cross.