The LOOP
The Wednesday Loop - February 19, 2025
POPE FRANCIS DEVELOPS BILATERAL PNEUMONIA
A week after Pope Francis’ initial hospitalization for bronchitis, a “follow-up chest CT scan … revealed the onset of bilateral pneumonia, requiring additional pharmacological therapy,” Vatican News reported Tuesday. The Holy See Press Office published an update Wednesday morning stating that the Pope “spent a restful night, woke up and had breakfast.”
TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER ‘EXPANDING ACCESS’ TO IVF
Trump yesterday issued an executive order calling for “policy recommendations on protecting IVF [in vitro fertilization] access and aggressively reducing out-of-pocket and health plan costs” for the controversial procedure. The Catholic Church condemns IVF as morally unacceptable.
US CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS SUES TRUMP ADMIN
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) yesterday sued the Trump administration for cutting off funding to the USCCB's refugee services. The lawsuit asks a federal judge to order the State Department to restart the taxpayer money that the bishops say they need in order to help refugees.
REACTIONS TO VANCE'S DEFENSE OF FREE SPEECH
After Vice President Vance’s recent speech warning European elites against continuing their crackdowns on dissenting opinion online, CBS’s Margaret Brennan protested that “free speech” was once “weaponized” to bring about the Holocaust. Dr. Susan Berry points out that Brennan is far from alone in that opinion.
TRUMP, DOGE APPROVAL RATINGS STILL HIGH
Recent polling shows approval ratings are still high for both Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). A Trafalgar poll this month found 54% of respondents approve of Trump while 45% disapprove. DOGE has also received more approval than disapproval in the last month.
JPII SHRINE TO HOST SHROUD OF TURIN LENT EXHIBIT
The Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., is set to host a special exhibit on the Shroud of Turin during Lent in response to the saint’s call for greater devotion to Christ’s burial cloth.
CATHOLIC AUTHOR EXPLAINS 'THE POSTMODERN PREDICAMENT'
Catholic author Bobby Angel spoke with CatholicVote about his new book “The Postmodern Predicament.” In the book, Angel outlines how movements in Western philosophy led to the deep skepticism, subjectivism, and disenchantment of today.
SO MUCH NEWS
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP: • Pro-life centers sued Delaware for requiring pro-abortion ‘disclaimers.’ • Judge: Pittsburgh cannot make Catholic church a historic structure. • A new website aims to reveal where cardinals stand on key issues.
PRAYER
Let us remember to keep Pope Francis in our prayers this week as he continues his hospital stay. Prayers for his speedy recovery!
CONNECTICUT DIOCESE REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH VICTIMS
The Diocese of Norwich, Connecticut, reached a $31 million settlement with survivors of sexual abuse last week. The settlement includes a comprehensive “Plan of Reorganization” in the diocese.
CELEBRATING DOMINICAN ARTIST BLESSED FRA ANGELICO
The Church this week celebrated the feast day of Blessed Fra Angelico, an Italian Dominican painter during the Early Renaissance. Learn about this patron of Catholic artists here.
RENDER UNTO CAESAR HOW MUCH?
“Paying your taxes is patriotic – we all have to do our part! What’s more, Jesus told us we must render to Caesar what is Caesar’s.” But how far does that go? At what point do we stand up to tyranny, government engorgement, or plain old theft, as the libertarians would put it? This article muses on the proper balance.
CATHOLIC 101
What will you do this Lent? Give up this or that, add this or that, overcome this or that… Those are fine, but sometimes we get too caught up in thinking Lent is about what we do, when it’s really about how God works in us. Here’s how to reframe Lent and make it truly the best Lent ever.
SAINT OF THE DAY
After he accidentally set miles of forest, towns, and villages on fire, St. Conrad (d. 975) at first ran. However, when an innocent man was mistakenly condemned to death for starting the fire, Conrad turned himself in. As recompense, he and his wife gave away all their possessions and joined religious orders. Conrad lived as a hermit for 36 years and became known far and wide for his wisdom and holiness.
DAILY PSALM
“To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.” (Psalm 116:17)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
HISTORY
John Basilone was your typical Catholic, Italian-American boy from Buffalo. But when it came to fighting on the front lines during World War II, this soldier’s bold actions were anything but ordinary.