The LOOP
The Tuesday Loop - February 17, 2026
CATHOLIC DEMS: BORDER ENFORCEMENT VIOLATES FAITH
Forty-four Catholic Democrats published a letter invoking Catholic social teaching to criticize border enforcement. Many of them signed a similar letter in 2023 arguing that their faith required them to speak out in support of the so-called “right” to abortion. U.S. bishops at the time rebuked the signatories, saying the pro-abortion letter “grievously distorted” the faith.
PRO-LIFE ORG GIVES NOTRE DAME 'F' GRADE
Students for Life of America has demoted the University of Notre Dame on the pro-life organization's annually published list of pro-life Christian schools. The group changed Notre Dame’s “B” status to an “F” in light of the institution’s appointment of an outspoken pro-abortion professor to a prominent leadership position.
BISHOP BARRON COUNTERS AOC, WARNING AGAINST MARXISM
Bishop Robert Barron yesterday published a video message challenging Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., for arguing that appeals to Western culture are “thin” and insufficient, compared with direct responses to “material” foundations underpinning “class struggles.” Bishop Barron warned that Ocasio-Cortez’s view is a “Marxist” analysis that dismisses the Christian heritage of the West and ultimately leads to authoritarianism.
CHARGES DROPPED AFTER ICE AGENTS REPORTEDLY GIVE FALSE TESTIMONY
A federal judge last week dismissed charges against two men accused of assaulting an ICE agent with a shovel and broomstick during a Jan. 14 confrontation in Minnesota during which an agent shot one of the men in the leg. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said video evidence suggested two officers gave “untruthful statements” about the incident, adding they "may face termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution."
POPE LEO TO PONTIFICAL ACADEMY FOR LIFE: 'HEALTH IS A RIGHT'
Pope Leo yesterday addressed the Pontifical Academy for Life, a Vatican body founded by Pope St. John Paul II in 1994 to study bioethical issues and advise the Holy See on matters related to the sanctity of life and healthcare policy. Health is “not a consumer good, but a universal right,” Pope Leo said, quoting his predecessor Pope Francis. The Holy Father urged governments to address inequalities in access to treatment and warned that war and profit-driven systems are undermining global public health.
THE CHURCH IN GAZA: 'WE ARE A PART OF ITS PEOPLE'
In a recent interview with AsiaNews, Caritas Jerusalem, the humanitarian arm of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, said its mission in Gaza is inseparable from the people it serves and detailed its decision to remain on the ground despite displacement, infrastructure collapse, and threats to operations.
TRUMP APPROVAL AHEAD OF NOVEMBER ELECTIONS
Newly released data on President Donald Trump’s approval ratings ahead of the November midterm elections has caused some pollsters to sound the alarm as his support reaches a new low. Other findings, however, suggest his ratings have remained relatively stable. Here are the numbers.
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2 REQUESTS FROM JESUS FOR LENT
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WEST VIRGINIA BILL WOULD CONFRONT ABORTION PILL TRAFFICKING
West Virginia’s Senate last week passed a bill that would ban abortion pills from being mailed into or delivered to mothers in the state, closing a loophole that had allowed pregnant women and abortion pill providers to circumvent the state’s laws that regulate abortion and healthcare.
SAINT CARLO INSPIRED APP PRESENTS EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES
An app that presents Eucharistic miracles from around the world was launched Feb. 14 by a Pennsylvania shrine devoted to Saint Carlo Acutis. “The Eucharist is the living heart of Jesus, and the proof is in the miracles," states a promotional video for the app.
9 BOOKS TO READ THIS LENT
"Now is the perfect time to revisit those New Year’s resolutions to spend less time scrolling and more time reading or to finally work down that giant to-be- pile on your bedside table," writes Brittany Makely for Refine. "Here are nine recommendations for spiritual reading this Lent."
CATHOLIC 101
Brother Bernardo Ross, an ambassador for Ascension Press’ new Lenten program Crux, talked with Zeale News about how Catholics can discern their Lenten penances. Get ready. Lent begins tomorrow!
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today the Church honors the Seven Founders of the Order of Servites, a group of Italian hermits with a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother. Mary appeared to them and gave them the exact rule, habit, and name of their order. Now commonly called the Servites, these mendicant friars travel the world and preach to the poor.
DAILY PSALM
"Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord." (Psalm 94)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
WITNESS
Fr. Javier Olivera Ravasi celebrates Mass in front of a Planned Parenthood clinic in San Francisco, California. This is how you fight evil.
