Pope Leo XIV (Edgar Beltrán)‘Pope Leo XIV’s Green Mass’: A Poem by Susan Jarvis Bryant The Society July 10, 2025 Poetry, Satire, The Environment 16 Comments . Pope Leo XIV’s Green Mass My aim is red. My game is green. _I’m cloaked in clouds of white. This choking planet’s mine to clean. _I’m virtue’s guiding light. I’ll save this smoking Earth from death _With sermons—cool and calm. I’m here to ration excess breath _To keep the Globe from harm. You’ve scorched the hem and charred the sleeves _Of Gaia’s golden gown. You’ve caused the swell and rise of seas _And damned this land to drown. It’s time your filthy footprints trod _The pathway to redemption. As mouthpiece for Almighty God _I’m blessed with best intention. My scheme is green. My hands are red. _I’m always in the black. The turbines whine. The birds are dead. _My legacy’s on track. . . Susan Jarvis Bryant is a poet originally from the U.K., now living on the Gulf Coast of Texas. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. ***Read Our Comments Policy Here*** 16 Responses Roy Eugene Peterson July 10, 2025 When dressed in purple robe, his light must be a strobe. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 I’m sure there’s a blinding flash of wisdom in your comment, Roy. I think the image your rhyming couplet conjures is most certainly befitting of a leech in the limelight. Thank you! Reply Frank Rable July 11, 2025 Susan, Your poem was a service to mankind. I heartily thank you. One day, it will be said, “Some people knew. Some of the poets knew. They were the ‘still, small voice in the desert’ that was there for those who would listen. All one needed to do was look and see what cities had the most pollution, and governing those, which nation had the most money and power to shift the blame onto rival nations on the other side of world. It was a simple matter of propaganda fostered by multi layered ubiquitous bribes.” So. Pope Francis declared that they (meaning Americans) who did not absolutely accept global warning as an incontrovertible fact were “stupid.” Did he provide incontrovertible scientific evidence? Is he an accomplished scientist? Did Jesus pull him aside and warn him? In a dream even? Does the church like money? And now there is a new pope. An American. It was something that had always considered unlikely with America as a superpower. He was made a Cardinal by (guess who?) Pope Francis. Supposedly he was a “dark horse” candidate with little chance. But he was put in pretty fast. The white smoke was smoke and mirrors. Was the yuan heard? God forbid, but maybe. Your poem was indeed a treasure, a well delivered statement against lies and hypocrisy from a pair of “holy fathers”. So much for the American pope we always hoped for. How about a Polish pope again next time? A Pope John Paul III? Something to pray for. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 Frank, I thank you wholeheartedly for this reasoned response to my swiftly written, satirical offering that came to me in an ire-fueled flash of inspiration. I am heartened to see that you’re a poet in the know – a tough place to be in this dark and ever-changing political climate that heats the globe and all upon it daily. The hot air rising from ivory-towers is enough to ignite the entire universe – those who know are fully aware of an existential threat and it’s not coming from carbon footprints. Frank, thank you very much! Mike Bryant July 10, 2025 I know you couldn’t believe it, Susan, when you read it here: https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-green-mass-climate-justice-4a65f5d0897016d654589439032433b3 And here: https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2025/07/09/pope-leo-celebrates-first-green-mass-as-he-pursues-climate-justice-for-all/ Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 You’re right, Mike. I received the news in disbelief thinking it was an article from the Babylon Bee. I should have known better! Reply Joseph S. Salemi July 11, 2025 Susan, if I could see you in person I would give you a huge kiss for this poem (with Mike’s permission, of course). The R&R Catholics in Trad Incorporated have been making all sorts of laudatory noises about how Leo XIV is going to be a conservative, pro-tradition Pope who will put Catholicism back on track. Fat chance. This guy is nothing but Bergoglio 2.0, with some nice vestments and Gregorian chant behind him as camouflage. Trad Inc. won’t care. As long as they have their little Latin mass communities, their choirs, and the smells and bells of incense and carillions, they won’t be bothered by what the Vatican does to turn the Church into a left-liberal NGO. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 Joe, I am certain this poem will send many into a fevered frenzy of offended outrage that leads to anything but a kiss, so I accept your kiss graciously and gratefully. In an insane world, it’s lovely to know there are those of faith who hear the lies from pious lips and call them out. Joe, thank you! Reply James A. Tweedie July 11, 2025 Susan, The difference between Pope Leo XIV and King Canute is this: Canute stood on the ocean shore and commanded the tidal sea to stop, all to show that human beings–even the kings among us–are powerless to control the elements. Leo XIV, on the other hand, begs to differ, for he stands on the ocean shore and commands both the Church and World to make the tidal sea to stop, apparently believing we can do this because he says we must. The difficulty with this curious tautological assumption may perhaps be best explained by simply noting (without additional comment) that there have been fourteen Pope Leos and zero Pope Canutes. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 You make an excellent point, James. Thank you very much indeed! Reply Mike Bryant July 11, 2025 Susan, you always surprise me. You have absolutely nailed this one. It looks like Leo is just a rubber stamp for all the Popes from Pius to Francis. Francis began the planning for a large solar farm that will, he hopes, make the Vatican carbon neutral! There’s a hundred million Euros right down the drain. He speaks of climate justice, however, as you’ve said many times, true Justice needs no modifiers. In fact, any modifier ensures that justice becomes impossible… all according to plan, I suppose. https://www.euronews.com/green/2025/07/09/pope-leo-celebrates-first-green-mass-after-calling-out-greed-that-fuels-climate-injustice Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 Thank you, biggest fan, for inspiring my satirical poems with articles that make my blood boil. Reply Brian Yapko July 11, 2025 Well stated, Susan. I can see I didn’t need to worry about the vacuum created when Greta Thunberg abandoned environmental advocacy in favor of the kefiyyah. Pope Leo is making the Church a vehicle for non-church matters and that always leads to hubris and a failure to fulfill his actual job as head of the church. As the old Russian saying goes, “He who chases two rabbits will catch neither.” And when it comes to *environmental justice ” I’m sure the world’s largest polluter by far, China, will heed every word. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 Brian, you are so right. I believe many churches have been politicized to ill ends and China will remain deaf to the calls for clean air for the foreseeable future. We now have one more woke pope on the slippery slope – that Thunbergian path to disaster… and sadly, those keeping this pope in fancy robes and luxuries will continue to do so at the people’s peril. Thank you very much indeed! Reply Mark Stellinga July 11, 2025 An ‘ugly’ truth ‘beautifully’ conveyed, Susan. When Connie and I travel long distances, by car, we work to take roads we know of that show as few wind turbines as possible. Even Iowa and Minnesota are particularly dense in certain areas, and we always try to leave somewhat earlier than would be otherwise necessary. Thanks for skillfully blistering this imposter’s same-ol’-same-ol’ you know what. An excellent, meaningful and timely piece… as expected. 🙂 Take care – Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 Mark, thank you very much for your appreciative and encouraging comment. I know just how you and Connie feel out those money-eating, bird-killing, non-biodegradable monstrosities that blight the landscape with their hideous reminder of our oppressive overlords spouting claptrap about carbon emissions. As you can probably hear from my passionate words, I too take the scenic route wherever possible. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 I’m sure there’s a blinding flash of wisdom in your comment, Roy. I think the image your rhyming couplet conjures is most certainly befitting of a leech in the limelight. Thank you! Reply
Frank Rable July 11, 2025 Susan, Your poem was a service to mankind. I heartily thank you. One day, it will be said, “Some people knew. Some of the poets knew. They were the ‘still, small voice in the desert’ that was there for those who would listen. All one needed to do was look and see what cities had the most pollution, and governing those, which nation had the most money and power to shift the blame onto rival nations on the other side of world. It was a simple matter of propaganda fostered by multi layered ubiquitous bribes.” So. Pope Francis declared that they (meaning Americans) who did not absolutely accept global warning as an incontrovertible fact were “stupid.” Did he provide incontrovertible scientific evidence? Is he an accomplished scientist? Did Jesus pull him aside and warn him? In a dream even? Does the church like money? And now there is a new pope. An American. It was something that had always considered unlikely with America as a superpower. He was made a Cardinal by (guess who?) Pope Francis. Supposedly he was a “dark horse” candidate with little chance. But he was put in pretty fast. The white smoke was smoke and mirrors. Was the yuan heard? God forbid, but maybe. Your poem was indeed a treasure, a well delivered statement against lies and hypocrisy from a pair of “holy fathers”. So much for the American pope we always hoped for. How about a Polish pope again next time? A Pope John Paul III? Something to pray for. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 Frank, I thank you wholeheartedly for this reasoned response to my swiftly written, satirical offering that came to me in an ire-fueled flash of inspiration. I am heartened to see that you’re a poet in the know – a tough place to be in this dark and ever-changing political climate that heats the globe and all upon it daily. The hot air rising from ivory-towers is enough to ignite the entire universe – those who know are fully aware of an existential threat and it’s not coming from carbon footprints. Frank, thank you very much!
Mike Bryant July 10, 2025 I know you couldn’t believe it, Susan, when you read it here: https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-green-mass-climate-justice-4a65f5d0897016d654589439032433b3 And here: https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2025/07/09/pope-leo-celebrates-first-green-mass-as-he-pursues-climate-justice-for-all/ Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 You’re right, Mike. I received the news in disbelief thinking it was an article from the Babylon Bee. I should have known better! Reply
Joseph S. Salemi July 11, 2025 Susan, if I could see you in person I would give you a huge kiss for this poem (with Mike’s permission, of course). The R&R Catholics in Trad Incorporated have been making all sorts of laudatory noises about how Leo XIV is going to be a conservative, pro-tradition Pope who will put Catholicism back on track. Fat chance. This guy is nothing but Bergoglio 2.0, with some nice vestments and Gregorian chant behind him as camouflage. Trad Inc. won’t care. As long as they have their little Latin mass communities, their choirs, and the smells and bells of incense and carillions, they won’t be bothered by what the Vatican does to turn the Church into a left-liberal NGO. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 Joe, I am certain this poem will send many into a fevered frenzy of offended outrage that leads to anything but a kiss, so I accept your kiss graciously and gratefully. In an insane world, it’s lovely to know there are those of faith who hear the lies from pious lips and call them out. Joe, thank you! Reply
James A. Tweedie July 11, 2025 Susan, The difference between Pope Leo XIV and King Canute is this: Canute stood on the ocean shore and commanded the tidal sea to stop, all to show that human beings–even the kings among us–are powerless to control the elements. Leo XIV, on the other hand, begs to differ, for he stands on the ocean shore and commands both the Church and World to make the tidal sea to stop, apparently believing we can do this because he says we must. The difficulty with this curious tautological assumption may perhaps be best explained by simply noting (without additional comment) that there have been fourteen Pope Leos and zero Pope Canutes. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 You make an excellent point, James. Thank you very much indeed! Reply
Mike Bryant July 11, 2025 Susan, you always surprise me. You have absolutely nailed this one. It looks like Leo is just a rubber stamp for all the Popes from Pius to Francis. Francis began the planning for a large solar farm that will, he hopes, make the Vatican carbon neutral! There’s a hundred million Euros right down the drain. He speaks of climate justice, however, as you’ve said many times, true Justice needs no modifiers. In fact, any modifier ensures that justice becomes impossible… all according to plan, I suppose. https://www.euronews.com/green/2025/07/09/pope-leo-celebrates-first-green-mass-after-calling-out-greed-that-fuels-climate-injustice Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 Thank you, biggest fan, for inspiring my satirical poems with articles that make my blood boil. Reply
Brian Yapko July 11, 2025 Well stated, Susan. I can see I didn’t need to worry about the vacuum created when Greta Thunberg abandoned environmental advocacy in favor of the kefiyyah. Pope Leo is making the Church a vehicle for non-church matters and that always leads to hubris and a failure to fulfill his actual job as head of the church. As the old Russian saying goes, “He who chases two rabbits will catch neither.” And when it comes to *environmental justice ” I’m sure the world’s largest polluter by far, China, will heed every word. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 Brian, you are so right. I believe many churches have been politicized to ill ends and China will remain deaf to the calls for clean air for the foreseeable future. We now have one more woke pope on the slippery slope – that Thunbergian path to disaster… and sadly, those keeping this pope in fancy robes and luxuries will continue to do so at the people’s peril. Thank you very much indeed! Reply
Mark Stellinga July 11, 2025 An ‘ugly’ truth ‘beautifully’ conveyed, Susan. When Connie and I travel long distances, by car, we work to take roads we know of that show as few wind turbines as possible. Even Iowa and Minnesota are particularly dense in certain areas, and we always try to leave somewhat earlier than would be otherwise necessary. Thanks for skillfully blistering this imposter’s same-ol’-same-ol’ you know what. An excellent, meaningful and timely piece… as expected. 🙂 Take care – Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant July 11, 2025 Mark, thank you very much for your appreciative and encouraging comment. I know just how you and Connie feel out those money-eating, bird-killing, non-biodegradable monstrosities that blight the landscape with their hideous reminder of our oppressive overlords spouting claptrap about carbon emissions. As you can probably hear from my passionate words, I too take the scenic route wherever possible. Reply
