The LOOP
The Wednesday Loop - February 26, 2025
POPE'S CONDITION STILL 'CRITICAL' AFTER 12th NIGHT AT HOSPITAL
Pope Francis had a restful 12th night at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he was admitted Feb. 14 for bronchitis treatment, according to the Holy See Press Office. His condition remains "critical" but is "stable."
HOUSE PASSES TRUMP-BACKED BUDGET PLAN
The House voted Tuesday night to adopt a budget framework backed by President Donald Trump that calls for deep spending cuts. Leadership earlier in the evening had canceled calling for a vote. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-LA, then managed to win over a number of holdouts. It passed in a 217-215 vote, with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-KY, the only Republican voting against it.
GOVERNMENT DATA: ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSINGS REACH 15-YEAR LOW
According to federal government statistics, the number of migrants authorities encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border reached a remarkable low just weeks into Trump’s second term. “On Feb. 22, encounters fell to just 200, the lowest single day total in over 15 years,” wrote conservative scholar Marc Thiessen.
GOV. DeSANTIS LAUNCHES STATE DOGE TASK FORCE
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order Monday that creates a state-level Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) task force. The task force aims to eliminate hundreds of government positions, but will also increase positions related to law enforcement.
TRUMP TO ERECT MONUMENTS TO NUMEROUS CATHOLIC HEROES
Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen is among the many prominent Catholics selected to be honored in the National Garden of American Heroes. “We’re going to be honoring our heroes, honoring the greatest people from our country,” Trump said of the project. “We’re not going to be tearing down, we’re going to be building up.”
GOYA FOODS CEO REPORTEDLY OUSTED
Goya Foods CEO Bob Unanue was suddenly ousted this week as president and CEO after 20 years in the role. A prominent advocate against child trafficking, Unanue recently announced he would work with Trump administration Border Czar Tom Homan to rescue trafficked migrant children.
SO MUCH NEWS
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP: • UVA Health Hospital is phasing out “trans” surgeries on minors. • Arson is suspected after a Canadian Catholic church burned down. • An American teen is accused of murdering her newborn in Paris.
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CLAIM THAT PRO-LIFE LAW CAUSED SEPSIS SPIKE DEBUNKED
ProPublica recently published an article alleging the pro-life Texas Heartbeat Act, which took effect in 2021, led to a 50% increase in sepsis cases among women hospitalized for second-trimester pregnancy losses. Pro-life researcher Michael J. New has now explained that the claim was far from the truth.
CHRISTIAN WOMEN, CHILDREN, ELDERLY AMONG VICTIMS IN CONGO
An Islamist terrorist group killed 70 Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between Feb. 12 and 15. The international charity organization Aid to the Church in Need has since reported that children, women, and elderly people were among the victims.
THOMAS MORE & FRIENDSHIP
St. Thomas More is known for being a true friend and for having many friends. “Friendship he seems born and designed for; no one is more open hearted in making friends or more tenacious in keeping them,” wrote his friend Erasmus. Based on Sir Thomas’ example, here is a treatise on how to attain and cultivate true friendship.
CATHOLIC 101
The digital arena, just like the other arenas of life we occupy, requires prudence and discernment. Online, we are presented with information and misinformation, spiritual realities, moral choices, human interactions, and more. Here are five ways you can practice discernment in the digital sphere.
SAINT OF THE DAY
St. Alexander of Alexandria (d. 328) is known for his stalwart defense of the Catholic Church against the Arian heresy, which claimed that Jesus was not fully divine. Bishop Alexander was at first gentle with Arius, a priest under his authority. Ultimately, however, Alexander excommunicated the heretic when he obstinately continued to teach falsehoods.
DAILY PSALM “O
Lord, great peace have they who love your law.” (Psalm 119:165)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
PRAYER
We are asking every member of the CatholicVote family to join us in for the Holy Father, for his comfort, bodily nourishment, and spiritual strength.