Yes, Sanders is speaking at the Vatican. Yes, he was invited.

[Old Crow]

I logged on to DU today to find a group of die-hard Hillary fans delighting in a kerfuffle regarding Senator Sanders and an official in the Vatican, who claimed that Sanders committed a "monumental discourtesy" by asking for an invitation. Something smelled fishy.

I spent ten minutes researching the issue. The story is flat-out wrong and created by someone who evidently has an anti-Sanders axe to grind. Margaret Archer, the Vatican official who said that Senator Sanders committed a "major discourtesy" by asking for an invitation, was contradicted by her superior.

From Fortune:

However, Reuters reported that Sanders was, in fact, invited by an aid who works closely with the Pope, Monsignor Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo. He is chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, a position above the president of the organization, and according to Reuters said of Archer’s comments, "I deny that. It was not that way. This is not true and she knows it. I invited him with her consensus." Reuters also received an email containing a March 30th invitation to Sanders signed by Sorondo.

So there you have it: The story has no legs. (Not that several Hillary supporters won't do their level best to make it walk, like Frankenstein's monster.)

Link to Fortune story:
http://fortune.com/2016/04/08/sanders-vatican-invite/

Edited to change title: Sanders was invited to speak; whether he'll meet the Pope is unclear.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. He is not actually meeting with the Pope himself, but he was invited to the conference

by Msgr. Sorondo, the Pope's friend.

[Old Crow]

3. My mistake; thank you.

Now I see what's got the Hillary supporters up in arms. On The View, Joy Behar asked, "You're meeting with the Pope?" and Sanders indicated he was.

Hmmm. Maybe I should self-delete this. Your thoughts?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. You could edit, since the first claim was that he invited himself.

As far as The View interview is concerned, it's possible that a staffer was confused and interpreted the Vatican invite as a meeting with the Pope and told Bernie he would be meeting with him. No idea. I don't think Bernie would knowingly lie about something that could be so easily disproved.

[Old Crow]

7. Thank you. I appreciate your thoughts.

I altered the title, per The Ocelot's suggestion (thank you, Ocelot!). I'm hoping this works better now.

[RepubliCON-Watch]

2. Even if the Pope himself may not be there...

It speaks volumes that Bernie has a part in improving the world. He's representing the US on a global stage!

[LAS14]

8. Maybe you should edit your subject, so the misinformation doesn't...

... get propogated among people who don't read the thread?

[Old Crow]

9. Agreed; I changed the post's title. Thanks! (N/T)

[LAS14]

11. Ooops. I meant to respond to you. Instead..

... I responded to myself. See #10.

[LAS14]

10. We should flag ourselves as a Sanders and Hillary...

.... supporter having a decent conversation.

[Old Crow]

12. Awww! I like that idea.

Honestly, one of the best parts of participating on DU is when you are able to have agreeable conversations with those with whom you disagree.

For the record, I'll vote for Hillary if she's the nominee. I would much prefer Bernie, but I'm willing to unite with fellow Democrats under Hillary, if that's the way things go.