The LOOP

The Wednesday Loop - February 4, 2026

VAST MAJORITY, INCLUDING DEMS, BLACKS, SUPPORT VOTER ID

A vast majority of Americans – including Democrats and ethnic minorities – support voter ID, according to CNN’s top analyst, Harry Enten. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer this week called voter ID “Jim Crow 2.0,” but the polling shows 83% overall support, with 76% of Black Americans and 82% among Latinos in favor.

WHITE HOUSE SPOX SHARES CV ADVISOR'S OPED

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday shared an opinion column written by Steve Cortes, senior political advisor to CatholicVote, that argued stricter immigration enforcement is leading to higher wages and lower rent for American citizens. In his essay, Cortes argued that immigration enforcement "makes America safer while also attacking the systemic affordability crisis.”

CATHOLIC SENATOR BRIEFS COURT ON BIRTHRIGHT CASE

Republican Senator Eric Schmitt is urging the Supreme Court to uphold President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship. As the court considers whether the Fourteenth Amendment requires birthright citizenship, Schmitt pointed out in a brief that the author of the amendment’s Citizenship Clause explicitly stated it would not apply to “persons born in the United States who are foreigners, aliens.”

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VANDALS ATTACK CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN CALIFORNIA

Vandals broke into Holy Innocents Catholic School in Long Beach, California, late Sunday night, causing extensive damage to classrooms and sacred spaces, destroying religious statues, and attempting to breach the tabernacle. The attack was discovered Monday morning when parishioners arrived to prepare for morning Mass.

ST. JOHN HENRY NEWMAN ADDED TO LITURGICAL CALENDAR

Pope Leo has formally added Saint John Henry Newman to the General Roman Calendar, making his optional memorial available for annual celebration throughout the universal Church on Oct. 9.

DEMS FLIP SEAT IN TEXAS AHEAD OF NOVEMBER ELECTIONS

Texas Democrats last week flipped a historically Republican state Senate seat in a runoff election. The shock political reversal has prompted some Republicans to warn GOP voters against complacency ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.

JOIN THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC PRAYER BREAKFAST: MARCH 19, 2026

Celebrate the Catholic contribution to the US on its 250th anniversary at the 21st annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast! This 21st annual gathering of 1500+ attendees features a beautiful morning of prayer, inspiring speakers, national Catholic celebrities, and over 50 Catholic exhibitors. Outstanding sponsorship opportunities are still available.

PRO-LIFE CATHOLIC ELECTED PRESIDENT OF COSTA RICA

Conservative populist Laura Fernández, a Catholic, was elected president of Costa Rica on Feb. 1, signaling a renewed public endorsement of traditional values, including strong protections for the unborn and the family.

ARCHBISHOP CALLS FOR DAY OF PRAYER FOR PEACE

Archbishop José Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has declared today a Day of Prayer for Peace in the archdiocese, inviting his flock to pray for God's intervention in the wake of recent violence and unrest related to immigration enforcement.

NOT TO BE MISSED

Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP:

SIGNS OF HOPE FOR GEN Z

From packed Masses at FOCUS’ SEEK conferences to a renewed interest in marriage, tradition, and going analog, a growing number of young Americans are quietly pushing back against a culture of speed and sameness.

CATHOLIC 101

Devotion to the ‘Not Quites’ — Many Catholics have a special devotion to various saints, but, one priest writes, those on their way to be canonized are also an important part of our devotions.

SAINT OF THE DAY

Today the Church honors St. Joseph of Leonissa, a Capuchin priest and missionary known for fearless preaching and heroic charity. He evangelized poor mountain regions of Italy and later ministered to thousands of Christian slaves in Constantinople, repeatedly offering himself in exchange for those near death.

DAILY PSALM

"Lord, forgive the wrong I have done." (Psalm 32)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

PRAYER, BUILT INTO YOUR DAY

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