The LOOP
The Wednesday Loop - March 5, 2025
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 – ASH WEDNESDAY
TRUMP ADDRESSES CONGRESS, MAIN TAKEAWAYS
In an address to a joint session of Congress last night, President Donald Trump touted the actions his administration has taken in its first month and a half and declared the U.S. is now entering its "Golden Age." Here are the highlights of the speech.
TRUDEAU IMPOSES COUNTER-TARIFFS ON US GOODS
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday announced counter-tariffs on a number of U.S. exports after Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods went into effect. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, meanwhile, said he would retaliate against the U.S. tariffs by shutting off power to American homes in several states.
POPE FRANCIS STABLE, BUT PROGNOSIS REMAINS GUARDED
Pope Francis has not experienced any further medical crises and remains alert and without a fever, according to the Holy See Press Office. He received non-invasive mechanical ventilation overnight and woke this morning shortly after 8 a.m. local time.
ZELENSKYY WALKS BACK CRITICISMS AND ASKS TO SIGN DEAL
One day after the Trump administration paused aid to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote to Trump that he is “ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible” and wants to sign a mineral deal with the U.S. which he had previously criticized.
EDUCATION SECRETARY
McMAHON OUTLINES DEPT’S ‘FINAL MISSION’ Newly-confirmed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has announced the Department of Education's “final mission,” vowing to “send education back to the states.”
WYOMING PASSES UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE
Wyoming Republican Gov. Mark Gordon has signed the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act into law, majorly expanding school choice in the state and making Wyoming “the 15th state to pass universal school choice in the past 4 years,” according to school choice advocate Corey DeAngelis.
STUDY LINKS ‘TRANSGENDER’ TREATMENT TO WORSE MENTAL HEALTH
A major new study published at the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that so-called “gender-affirming care” significantly worsens the mental health of people suffering from gender dysphoria. READ
SO MUCH NEWS
Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP: • State pro-life laws have saved 22,000 unborn lives since Dobbs. • U.S. athletes raised $7.5M for impoverished third-world moms. • FDA failed to report 70,000 negative reactions to puberty blockers.
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POLL: VOTERS FAVOR TRUMP OVER ZELENSKYY ON PEACE
A Wick poll asked voters to give their impressions of an 11-minute video of the recent argument between Zelenskyy, Trump, and Vance. Nearly half of respondents said Trump and Vance had stronger arguments for compromise and diplomacy with Russia, with just 37% favoring Zelenskyy’s unwillingness to compromise.
PROTESTANT WARNS TOO MANY ARE CONVERTING TO CATHOLICISM
A recent Gospel Coalition article warned that too many Protestant intellectuals and leaders are converting to Catholicism. The piece blamed the effectiveness of Catholic apologetics and called on Protestants to develop a strategy to stem the tide of conversions.
GOD VS POINTLESS EVILS
Some evils are easier to swallow. At least there's a purpose to the evil of a father dying to defend his family. But what about pointless evils? How do we maintain our faith when terrible things happen that don't bear any good fruit?
CATHOLIC 101
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” These words remind us of our beginning and of our eventual end; the price of the fall entwined with the hope of something new and eternal. The ashes tell a story – learn more here.
SAINT OF THE DAY
St. John Joseph of the Cross (1654-1734) was a Franciscan friar in Naples who lived a life of poverty, fasting, strict asceticism, humility, and charity. Although he became his order’s provincial, he never thought of himself as higher than his brothers. He spent his later years hearing confessions and practicing mortification.
DAILY PSALM
“Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.” (Psalm 51:3)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
PRAYER
We are asking every member of the CatholicVote family to continue to for the Holy Father, for his comfort, bodily nourishment, and spiritual strength.