by Julia Griffin

“Cardinals are watching Conclave the movie for guidance on the actual conclave”
—Politico

So back beneath the holy roof we go,
Inspirited by Michelangelo:
The ballots are set out; each takes his seat
To do his duty by the Paraclete.
We calculate the risks of an impasse:
This wants gay marriage, that the Latin mass;
This mentioned women priests, that looked askance
At fossil fuels, divorce, and J.D. Vance.
At last the deal is done. We greet the folk
With long-awaited puffs of snowy smoke:
Habemus Papam! Number 267,
Approved by us, and, so we hope, by Heaven,
Though somebody, inevitably, whines:
I still believe we should have picked Ralph Fiennes.