Pope "Mic Drop" Video Might Be Best Commentary On Climate Encyclical Yet

onJun 17, 2015 @ 21:43 PDT

We’ve already seen Pope Francis cast as an action hero in an epic movie trailer for his encyclical on climate justice, but this might be the best take yet: The Pope gets up on stage to drop a few rhymes — and the mic — at an otherwise dull open mic night.

“Cynical about my encyclical? I’m lovin it! /
No government can overcome our covenant.”

With this type of attention being paid to the Pope’s climate message, it’s no wonder the usual climate denier suspects are lining up to attack the Pope’s credibility.

Watch:

The video was made by NYC-based filmmaker Brian Lannin.

Pope as rapper? Maybe not as far-fetched as you think:

#PopeFrancis & his crew. Dropping beats and an #encyclical. #climatechange #popeforplanet pic.twitter.com/go2KlPqaBR

— Shanelle Matthews (@TheShanelleM) June 18, 2015

By Mike Gaworecki

Mike Gaworecki is a San Francisco-based journalist who writes about energy, climate, and forest issues for DeSmogBlog and Mongabay.com. His writing has appeared on BillMoyers.com, Alternet, Treehugger, Change.org, Huffington Post, and more. He is also a novelist whose debut “The Mysticist” came out via FreemadeSF in 2014.

uk/Nigel Farage Paid £27,000 to Speak at Pro-Trump U.S. Think Tank

ByPhoebe Cooke and Adam Barnett

onFeb 26, 2026 @ 09:33 PST

The Reform UK leader’s planned trip to Washington D.C. has prompted fresh consternation from campaigners.

Series: Inside MAGA’s Global Climate Agenda

Series: MAGA

Opinion

How Europe’s Climate and Sustainability Rules Were Shredded While Citizens Remained in the Dark

ByHugh Wheelan and Raj Thamotheram

onFeb 26, 2026 @ 03:53 PST

Policymakers, civil society, investors, business, and the media all must answer key questions fast — before the regulatory rollback turns into a rout.

Carney Allowed Gas-powered AI Data Centres After Lobbying From Alberta Energy Company

ByTaylor Noakes

onFeb 25, 2026 @ 07:03 PST

The Alberta gas giant Capital Power lobbied the government 37 times in the lead-up to an accord suspending clean energy regulations, federal records show.

Series: Mark Carney’s Climate Betrayal

Series: Carney's Climate Betrayal