Video of the Pope's comments:

[lamp_shade]

[stopbush]

1. But, but, Sanders said he met with the Pope for 5 minutes.

Ropeline Sanders.

[lamp_shade]

9. Surely the Sunday show hosts will ask for details about their conversation.

I'll be watching.

[tomm2thumbs]

2. well played

win win

Bernie got his meeting, the Pope got to meet him and introduce him to the world as a friend of the Vatican without giving anyone ammunition that he was stepping into an election.

He's a lot smarter than people make him out to be -- and a little more clever than some would hope.

[lunamagica]

6. The Pope is transparent. It's quite insulting to say that he'd act in a way that wasn't

completely honest. His morals and integrity would never allow him to do what you are suggesting

[tomm2thumbs]

7. that is contrary to reports actually

he is known for being politically astute, that does not make him dishonest

[lunamagica]

10. Political astute doesn't mean disingenous. And yes, arranging a meeting with Sanders, and then

saying Sanders ran into him, would make him dishonest. It'd be a lie.

I is obvious you're ignorant about the pope. He is straightforward and honest

[tomm2thumbs]

12. sorry, try again, you just established those both can't be true

"Sanders’ presence at the meeting was highly controversial, coming just four days before the crucial New York primary in which he is campaigning against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. He spoke at the conference at the invitation of Argentine Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, a non-official body of the Holy See located in the Vatican.

It is unprecedented for a Vatican-related body, and a pope in modern history, to grant a political figure running for office such exposure in the middle of an election campaign.

Although today's meeting was just a courtesy, some have seen it as a virtual papal endorsement of the presidential bid of a U.S. Presidential candidate who, although his environmental and economic outlook are similar to the Pope's, favors removing all restrictions on abortion and other policies the Church strongly opposes."

-- Edward Pentin began reporting on the Pope and the Vatican with Vatican Radio before moving on to become the Rome correspondent for the National Catholic Register.

[lunamagica]

13. “If someone thinks that greeting someone is getting involved in politics,” he said,

“I recommend that they find at.” --Pope Francis

Edward Pentin should follow the Pope's advise, and see a psychiatris

[passiveporcupine]

27. He didn't say Sanders "ran into him"

He said Sanders knew when he was leaving and came to courteously greet him. Now, how did Sanders know what time the Pope was leaving? Is it possible that the Pope let someone inform him so he could be there to have this casual "non-political" greeting on his way out...along with the other couple?

Yes, yes it is.

[passiveporcupine]

22. And it was obvious, from the Pope's body language and words

He was not trying to dispute that Bernie met him, but trying to keep the reporters from turning it into what Camp Hillary keeps trying to turn it into...a quest for political endorsement. As one reporter said, it was not about the Pope endorsing Bernie politically, it was about Bernie endorsing the Pope and his message.

Because it was not on camera, and presumably nobody caught it on their phone, we don't know exactly how long it lasted, or what was said. And he also seemed very pleased that Bernie was courteous enough to want to meet him and shake his hand. He also met Jane, and another couple, so if they were all grouped together, the meeting easily could have lasted five minutes. The Pope is not rude...he's going to respond graciously and with interest and exchange greetings and shake hands with each one. If Bernie and Jane were included in a group, and it took five minutes or so for the whole group, it's not odd that Bernie would say it took five minutes. He was probably still standing there with the group the whole time.

[tomm2thumbs]

23. yes, and there were some more detailed descriptions of the encounter

which will be shared later, I'm sitting on them now but I'm guessing Sunday they may include more on the news shows. Pays to check out Italian sites!

[passiveporcupine]

25. Oh no, you're going to wait til Sunday?

Now everyone in Hill camp just got a sudden case of indigestion.

[thereismore]

3. It is the same thing Bernie Sanders said. It was not a political meeting. nt

[Pharaoh]

4. Of course the Pope

can never be seen as being involved in politics. That's a no brainer.

The fact that Sanders was invited to that conference does speak volumes.

No matter what you guys say.

[lunamagica]

8. The Pope doesn't use underhanded tactics, and he doesn't lie

His morals and integrity are real.

Big fail

[passiveporcupine]

28. what is underhanded about trying to make sure nobody takes it as a political endorsement?

The Pope knew exactly what he was doing.

[passiveporcupine]

36. You might want to sit down before you read this

According to the economist Jeffrey Sachs, who has also been attending the conference which ends today, the courtesy visit was prearranged. “Last night the meeting was scheduled for 6am this morning,” Sachs said in comments to CNA. “They had the chance to talk for several minutes.” No photographs were taken of the encounter.

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/pope-francis-meets-bernie-sanders-vatican-confirms/#ixzz4633ABBnr

[lunamagica]

38. Whom should I believe, The Pople Or Sachs? Please...

AGAIN, this is what the Pope said :

This morning as I was leaving, Senator Sanders was there,” Francis said. “He knew I was coming out at that time, and he had the kindness to greet me.”

“When I came down, he introduced himself, I greeted him with a handshake, and nothing more,” the pope added. “It’s common courtesy, this is called common courtesy.

[passiveporcupine]

39. You are just pathetic

He knew I was coming out at that time

Because it was prearranged.

Sorry (no I'm not)...eat your crow.

[lunamagica]

40. Pathetic, for believing the Pope over Sachs?

[lunamagica]

42. Watch the video...your personal attacks don't change anything

[passiveporcupine]

43. Did you read the article link?

I did watch the video and it does not mean he didn't meet Sander's by arrangement, or that he hadn't planned on meeting everyone at the conference the day before but had to cancel.

He also arranged to meet one of the other Presidents Sat morning. That must have been the other couple waiting to meet him with the Sanders'.

the Pope said Sanders knew that he was leaving for Greece, and "had the kindness to greet me."

It was kindness on Sander's part to get up at 6am to greet the Pope that early in the morning. That is what he is saying there. You cannot make stuff up any more.

Well, I know you will try, but nobody will believe you any more.

Sachs is a close aide to the Pope. Why the hell would he lie? He is speaking for the Vatican in this article.

[lunamagica]

44. I'm done with you. I don't need to engage with people who retort to personal attacks

[hrc guy]

5. Psychiatrist?

Yeah, I know a couple of BernieBros who could benefit from such a visit. (For the record, I am not referring to anyone here.)

[RoccoR5955]

17. Just as I know

at least as many Hilbots, Cruzers, Drumpf boys, and some of the Kaisch Klotch who could use one.

I have often wondered what "normal" is, as there are so many descriptions of mental disorders, yet I cannot find one for "normal."
Perhaps there is none.

[noretreatnosurrender]

11. Hope This Ends All the Silliness

Both the Pope and Sanders have said the meeting was not political.

[tomm2thumbs]

14. I think it is jealousness, not silliness

and you know how jealously works

[SoapBox]

15. What's crazy is how Hillers keep trying to spin this good thing

into something bad.

Bernie was invited...went to Rome...spoke at a conference...met the Pope...and came home.

While Hill was sucking up to millionaires and billionaires for their dollars.

Stick to the other Tried But Failed memes like sexism and racism.

[passiveporcupine]

29. I think part of it is the fact that they all said Bernie was lying about the whole thing

from the very beginning...they got caught in being wrong at each step...but each time they kept hoping that the next lie would be proved! It didn't work and they are kind of freaked now at how it made them look...but they can't back out because of cognitive dissonance.

[lamp_shade]

16. Wait until he finds out his picture was used in a Sanders campaign ad.

[NastyRiffraff]

20. Yep

It may shock Francis, but it wouldn't surprise me.

[DesertRat]

18. It's good to see and hear the Pope's actual account of the meeting.

This clears up the misconception that the Pope somehow endorsed Sanders.
Thank you for posting.

[passiveporcupine]

30. The Hill camp are the only ones

who had that misconception...maybe one or two Sanders people, but most of us never said or even implied that.

[DesertRat]

31. I saw MANY posts on Twitter

(and some here on DU) from Sanders' supporters that said that the Pope was "feeling the Bern", etc. Plus many tweets of photos of Pope Francis juxtaposed with Sanders with implied endorsement.

[passiveporcupine]

32. The Pope may be Feeling the Bern.

But that doesn't mean he is endorsing anyone. Trying to stay out of this political battle means that he is not be able to say what he is feeling. But I think he more than likely approved of Bernie's invitation to the conference. After all, he and Bernie share some very strong convictions. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he is Feeling the Bern.

[DesertRat]

33. As the leader of the Catholic Church

I believe that the Pope only "berns" for Jesus Christ.

[passiveporcupine]

34. Oh, I bet he has other people who get him excited now and then.

He's human after all.

[elleng]

19. Good Manners, GOT IT???

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

21. I served on a jury this morning that hid a post quoting the Pope 4-3.

It didn't have this video however. Oh and yes I voted against the hide.

[panfluteman]

24. Pope Francis could have extended invitations to every major US presidential candidate

just to show that he wasn't playing any favorites. But that didn't happen, and an invitation was extended to Bernie alone. That speaks volumes, and what it says is that the two men, Pope Francis and Bernie, have a mutual respect and admiration for each other, and share similar views and thinking regarding what both have identified as the major moral issues of our times: poverty, obscene wealth inequality and a culture of corporate greed in the economic and social sphere, and pollution and climate change in the environmental sphere. Of course, the Pope has to officially deny that he's getting involved in politics as part of being politically astute and officially neutral as Pope. And of course, I would be equally surprised if Bernie did not make use of his meeting with Pope Francis in his political campaign, and in letting what is unofficial speak for itself.

[Iliyah]

26. AGAIN, the Pope did not invite BS. Geez, for once tell the effing truth people.

[TM99]

35. Now let's put your smear into the real context

that needs continuously sharing here.

Pope Francis briefly met Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders this morning at the Pope’s Santa Martha residence, the Vatican has confirmed.

The courtesy meeting took place at breakfast, around 6am, shortly before the Pope left for his one-day visit to the Greek island of Lesbos. Sanders was also staying at the residence after delivering a ten minute talk at a conference at the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences yesterday.

"Today certainly was the highlight of the trip," Sanders told NBC News. He said he told the Pope he was “incredibly appreciative of the incredible role that he is playing in this planet in discussing issues about the need for an economy based on morality, not greed."

According to the economist Jeffrey Sachs, who has also been attending the conference which ends today, the courtesy visit was prearranged. “Last night the meeting was scheduled for 6am this morning,” Sachs said in comments to CNA. “They had the chance to talk for several minutes.” No photographs were taken of the encounter.

He said the senator “thanked Pope Francis for his leadership on the moral economy and his leadership on climate change and he described how the Pope's leadership on climate change has made a vast difference in accelerating action on climate change.” He also expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis “for all of his moral leadership and his brave stances.”

Pope Francis “thanked the senator formally for coming to the Vatican and for participating in the meeting at the Academy,” Sachs recounted, adding that the Pope explained that an earlier start than expected this morning meant he couldn’t greet the conference participants last night as has had been originally planned. “He thanked the senator for understanding and appreciated that he had come and participated,” Sachs said. “The senator wished him well on today's journey and the Pope wished Senator Sanders and his wife very well and then the meeting concluded and the Pope left for Greece.”

Sachs said he believed that because the Pope couldn’t meet the conference participants last night, the Vatican “wanted to find a way to thank the senator for coming and to have this meeting, so in the evening the senator was told that it would be the meeting this morning.”

The whole story is sync with exactly what Pope Francis is saying here. It was a meet and greet. It was not political but rather informal. And all of you Clinton supporters who keep trying to make this into something it was not, well, as Pope Francis says, you might need to see a psychiatrist.


http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/pope-francis-meets-bernie-sanders-vatican-confirms

[passiveporcupine]

37. Everything about his trip syncs with what Bernie said before he left

And he was accused of lying about every single thing.

Now who's looking silly?

[Cha]

45. Busted by the Pope! how high profile of a bust is that?!

Mahalo lampshade!

[lamp_shade]

46. It's HUUUUGE.

[Cha]

47. So glad.. I was up all night with this thing. When I heard BS had a "5 minute meeting" with him..

I couldn't believe it .. it just didn't compute. And, then I found out why!


AlGiordano ‎‎@AlGiordano
Full context of the Pope's quotes on the plane about his brief encounter with Sanders:http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2016/04/16/pope-francis-calls-sanders-greeting-only-common-courtesy/ …
6:14 AM - 16 Apr 2016
542 542 Retweets 506 506 likes

https://theobamadiary.com/2016/04/16/west-wing-week-21/#comments

The Tweeters are on this.

[DesertRat]

48. I seriously doubt it was even "5 minutes"

The Pope said it was "a handshake, nothing more".

By Sanders' definition, I've had "meetings" with many politicians and celebrities.

[Cha]

49. Oh, it wasn't.. that was the BS story. then we out the truth. It was more like 5 seconds.