The LOOP

The Friday Loop - February 20, 2026

TRUMP ANNOUNCES $10 BILLION US PLEDGE FOR GAZA REBUILDING

Yesterday, during the inaugural U.S.-led Board of Peace talks, President Donald Trump announced a $10 billion U.S. pledge alongside $7 billion in international commitments for Gaza’s reconstruction. Speaking to attendees, Trump described the $10 billion U.S. contribution as a "very small number" compared with "the cost of war."

FORMER PRINCE ANDREW ARRESTED AMID NEW ALLEGATIONS IN EPSTEIN FILES

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former British Prince Andrew who was stripped of his royal titles over ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was reportedly arrested yesterday before being released hours later. He was suspected of misconduct in public office after the newly released U.S. Justice Department’s files allegedly showed him sharing confidential government information with Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy.

US WOMEN’S HOCKEY WINS OLYMPIC GOLD IN OVERTIME THRILLER

Team USA defeated rival Canada 2-1 in overtime at the Milan Cortina Winter Games to capture Olympic gold and cap a dominant 7-0 run through the tournament. Megan Keller sealed the victory in sudden death after captain Hilary Knight tied the game late in regulation, securing the Americans’ ninth gold medal of the Olympic Games.

SSPX PROCEEDS WITH UNAUTHORIZED BISHOP ORDINATIONS DESPITE VATICAN'S WARNINGS OF SCHISM

The Priestly Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) said yesterday it will move forward with its planned July 1 episcopal ordinations despite warnings from the Vatican that proceeding without papal approval would imply schism and carry grave consequences. In a letter to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, SSPX superior general Father Davide Pagliarani rejected the DDF's proposal requiring the suspension of the consecrations.

KANSAS PASSES BILL DEFINING GENDER AS TRUE SEX AT BIRTH

The Kansas House of Representatives voted yesterday to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a bill that defines gender as a person’s biological sex at birth. The new bill will require Kansans to use restrooms in public buildings that align with their true sex and mandates that driver’s licenses and birth certificates must reflect a person’s true sex.

WITNESS: CATHOLIC CELEBRITIES SHARE THEIR ASHES

From Mark Wahlberg and Jonathan Roumie to Gwen Stefani, Mario Lopez, and Patricia Heaton, Zeale News rounded up Catholic celebrities, news anchors, public officials, and advocates who shared photos wearing ashes on Ash Wednesday. These Catholics used their platforms to share a visible reminder of the Church's call to repentance this Lenten season.

COLORADO WON'T REQUIRE PARENTS TO AFFIRM CHILD'S 'GENDER IDENTITY' IN CUSTODY COURTS

A Colorado Senate committee voted yesterday to remove a provision of a newly proposed bill that would have required courts to consider whether parents affirm a child’s “gender identity” in custody disputes. The provision drew opposition from parents and advocacy groups who warned it threatened parental rights, with an advocate for the Colorado Catholic Conference saying it could mean parents would lose custody “if they do not affirm their minors’ trans identity.”

NEW OFFICIAL 2026 APOSTOLIC PARDON HOLY CARD ENGLISH TRANSLATION FROM THE USCCB

This special blessing and plenary indulgence granted by a Catholic priest at the hour of death gives complete remission of all temporal punishment due to sin already forgiven in the Sacrament of Confession. The new English translation went into effect February 11, 2026 and must be used by Easter Sunday. Get your newly revised Apostolic Pardon holy cards today.

HOLY LAND FRANCISCAN LEADER ASKS FOR SUPPORT THROUGH GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION

Ongoing conflict and violence have reduced pilgrimages to the Holy Land, worsening economic hardship for local Christian communities, said Father Francesco Ielpo, custos of the Holy Land. The annual Good Friday collection supports schools, parishes, and social projects, which he described as a “concrete sign of communion” that helps sustain the Christian presence in the land of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection.

'LISTEN WITH THE HEART': DENVER ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS SHARES LENTEN MESSAGE

Archbishop Samuel Aquila is calling Catholics to deeper silence, prayer, and a fast from harmful speech this Lent as the Archdiocese of Denver prepares to welcome a new leader, describing the season as a “personal invitation” to conversion and renewed friendship with Christ.

NOT TO BE MISSED

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

I TRIED EMILY WILSON’S CATHOLIC DATING APP — HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED

Zeale author Ava Cilento gives an honest, first-hand review of the new dating app launched by Catholic speaker and YouTuber Emily Wilson.

CATHOLIC 101

Why do Catholics wear ashes if Jesus encourages us to make private penances? Word on Fire's Fr. Steve Grunow offers a reflection on the private and public aspects of penance.

SAINT OF THE DAY

Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto are the young shepherd siblings who witnessed the Marian apparitions at Fatima in 1917 along with their cousin Lucia. Despite ridicule, interrogation, and even jail, they remained steadfast in sharing Our Lady’s call to pray the Rosary and offer sacrifices for sinners. Both died of the Spanish flu soon after the apparitions and were canonized by Pope Francis in 2017 — the youngest non-martyrs ever declared saints.

DAILY PSALM

"A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn." (Psalm 51)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

A CHINESE CATHOLIC UNJUSTLY IMPRISONED

Starting out as a penniless child who stowed away from China to Hong Kong, entrepreneur Jimmy Lai worked his way to great success, and then used that success as the foundation for his work in advocating for democracy and freedom from Chinese Communism. CatholicVote President and CEO, Kelsey Reinhardt, relates Lai's story and describes his mistreatment at the hands of China's government.