The LOOP
The Friday Loop - February 21, 2025
KASH PATEL CONFIRMED AS FBI DIRECTOR
The U.S. Senate Thursday confirmed lawyer Kash Patel as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in a close 51-49 vote. Patel has promised to investigate and put a stop to the FBI’s past targeting of Catholic and pro-life Americans.
McCONNELL TO RETIRE, CAMERON RUNS FOR HIS SEAT
Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election next year. Former Kentucky Attorney General and 2023 Republican gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron is running to succeed McConnell, his former boss.
JD VANCE DISCUSSES FAITH, MASCULINITY
Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Vice President JD Vance said his Catholic faith teaches us not to fear death so much as losing our souls. He also had a message for young men: “Don’t allow this broken culture to send you a message that you’re a bad person because you’re a man….”
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TRUMP ADMIN: PRESIDENT IS ‘FRUSTRATED’ WITH ZELENSKYY
“President Trump is obviously very frustrated right now with President Zelenskyy, the fact that he hasn't come to the table, that he hasn't been willing to take this opportunity that we have offered,” Trump’s National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said Thursday. “I think he eventually will get to that point, and I hope so very quickly.”
TRUMP ANNOUNCES ‘GARDEN OF AMERICAN HEROES’
“Trump on Thursday announced the creation of the National Garden of American Heroes, which will pay tribute to generations of black legends like Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, and others,” The Daily Wire reported.
BISHOP DECRIES TRUMP IVF ORDER
Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, in a statement this week expressed disappointment regarding Trump’s executive order that supports in vitro fertilization (IVF). Bishop Burbidge called on elected officials to support families in better ways.
SO MUCH NEWS
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP: • Elon Musk made a surprise appearance at CPAC. • Trump is proposing the federal government govern Washington, DC. • Speaker Johnson argued against DOGE stimulus checks.
PRAYER
Let us remember to keep Pope Francis in our prayers this week as he continues his hospital stay.
70 CHRISTIANS BEHEADED IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Seventy Christians were recently found beheaded in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident is the latest in a series of horrors committed by suspected militants from the Allied Democratic Forces, a group with ties to the Islamic State.
CASE FOR FIRST SRI LANKAN TO BE BEATIFIED ADVANCES
The investigation into Helena of Gonawila, the first Sri Lankan on the path to sainthood, has taken a significant step forward with the completion of the diocesan phase of her beatification process earlier this month.
TEEN BOYS & HEALTHY SEXUALITY
Teenage boys these days have unprecedented access to content and messages that trivialize and warp sexuality. At the same time, real discussions about sex are almost unbearably awkward. But parents bear the responsibility of presenting their teen boys with an alternate vision of sexuality to the one the world gives them. Here are some ways to do that.
CATHOLIC 101
This time of year calls for a little extra cheer. If chill and darkness are getting you down, here are some secrets for lifting the spirits, brought to you by the saints!
SAINT OF THE DAY
St. Peter Damian (1007-1072) excelled in school and joined the Benedictine Order, where he continued his theological work. As a monk, Peter lived a life of seclusion, prayer, and penance. He later served as a papal ambassador and confidant to many popes before becoming the Cardinal-bishop of Ostia, near Rome.
DAILY PSALM
“Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.” (Psalm 33:12)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
FLASH MOB
The most epic ever? Twelve years ago, this powerful performance of Beethoven's “Ode to Joy” took place in Spain.