The LOOP
The Tuesday Loop - February 25, 2025
POPE FRANCIS CONTINUES HOSPITAL STAY
Pope Francis showed some improvement in his condition yesterday. "The monitoring of his mild kidney insufficiency has not raised any concerns," the Holy See Press Office stated. "Oxygen therapy continues, although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen levels," and doctors “are prudently maintaining their cautious prognosis."
STEVE CORTES JOINS CATHOLICVOTE AS SENIOR POLITICAL ADVISOR
Political strategist Steve Cortes is joining CatholicVote as a senior political advisor. Cortes says he will approach the new role “as a true vocation, to reclaim our incredible republic and strengthen the mission of our Holy Church.”
VATICAN OFFICIAL LEADS THOUSANDS IN ROSARY FOR POPE
Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square Monday evening to pray for Pope Francis as he battles critical health problems. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin led cardinals, Curia officials, and lay Catholics in a Rosary.
JUDGE DENIES USCCB’S REQUEST TO REINSTATE REFUGEE SERVICES
A federal judge denied the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) request to reinstate federal funding for its refugee programs, stating that the bishops failed to demonstrate the Trump administration's funding freeze would cause irreparable harm.
Advertisement
SURPRISING LENTEN PRACTICE BRINGS CATHOLICS BACK TO CHURCH
“Can you imagine how YOU would feel receiving this?” Offer up each day this Lent for a specific person, then send that person one of these gorgeous postcards. “Incredibly touching. Too beautiful to throw away. Opens up conversations on the Faith.” LOOPers: you get a FREE Lent & Easter calendar with every set of 40 Lent Prayer & Sacrifice Cards now!
POLL: 81% SUPPORT DEPORTING VIOLENT ILLEGAL MIGRANTS
A recently-released Harvard CAPS - Harris Poll survey found that vast majorities of Americans support key priorities of the second Trump administration, including its policies addressing the border crisis and “transgenderism.”
BILL MAHER: DEMS WILL LOSE ELECTIONS OVER ‘TRANS’
Comedian Bill Maher took the Democratic Party to task for pushing extreme “transgender” policies. “You want to lose every election?” he said. “Just keep coming down on the side of parents coming in second in a who-gets-to-decide-what-goes-on-with-my-kid contest.”
SO MUCH NEWS
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP: • Trump said peace in Ukraine is now in sight after meeting Macron. • A New Jersey parish was forced to up its security after being desecrated. • A proposed law could force Australian hospitals to perform abortions.
PRAYER
We are asking every member of the CatholicVote family to join us in for the Holy Father, for his comfort, bodily nourishment, spiritual strength, and for the whole Church.
LGBT OPERATIVES USE CHRISTIAN-FOUNDED CHARITY TO PUSH AGENDA
“A campaign promoting adoptions for same-sex and transgender parents has surprised Christians by invoking the name of Dave Thomas, the late Wendy’s founder who infuriated gay rights protesters in the 1990s,” writes Dr. Sean Salai for CatholicVote. Thomas, a well-known Republican and Protestant Christian, established a charity that is now being used to promote “LGBTQ adoption.”
ILLINOIS LEGISLATORS CONSIDER ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL
The Illinois Senate Executive Committee held a hearing Feb. 21 for Senate Bill 9, the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act. Catholic dioceses and a pro-life organization in the state are calling for citizens to oppose the legislation, which would legalize assisted suicide.
WHAT A FATHER CAN GIVE HIS SON
“Strong and silent” types may accidentally withhold a critical gift that their loved ones, especially their sons, need. As we are made to know and love God the Father, we are made to know and love our earthly fathers. That’s an impossible task without deep communication. Dads, here’s how you can share more of yourself with those who need you.
CATHOLIC 101
It seems like all the saints had spiritual directors or special confessors. Is there something about the human condition that keeps us stuck unless we receive this kind of assistance? Father John Bartunek answers the question here.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Blessed Maria Adeodata Pisani (1806-1855) entered the cloistered Benedictine Community in St. Peter's Monastery at the age of 21. She wrote a collection of her personal reflections titled “The mystical garden of the soul that loves Jesus and Mary.”
DAILY PSALM
“Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.” (Psalm 37:5)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
WITNESS
Thousands gather and sing the “Salve Regina” at St. Peter’s Square following a Rosary for Pope Francis.