Sanders will exit campaign to speak at Vatican conference

[NWCorona]

"New York • Bernie Sanders said Wednesday he would regret refusing an invitation to attend a Vatican conference this week that takes him off the campaign trail just days before the critical New York presidential primary.

Sanders has a 10-minute speaking slot Friday at the conference organized by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. Dozens of speakers will commemorate the 25th anniversary of "Centesimus Annus," a teaching document by Pope John Paul II on the economy and social justice at the end of the Cold War.

"I obviously would not be leaving in the middle of a very hard-fought primary here if this were not an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime," he said in a phone interview. "I am deeply impressed by the commitment of the pope to speak out about economic and social and environmental injustice, and I would be kicking myself if I refused this opportunity."

Sanders' participation in the event comes ahead of primaries in states with large Roman Catholic populations— on Tuesday in New York and on April 26 in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

His trip coincides with a fundraising trip by rival Hillary Clinton to California, including events hosted by George and Amal Clooney. Sanders said such big-money fundraising was "part of the corruption of American politics.

The chancellor for the pontifical academy, Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, said he invited Sanders because the Democratic senator from Vermont was the only U.S. presidential candidate who showed interest in the teachings of Pope Francis. The pope is not expected to attend the conference."

http://www.sltrib.com/home/3774577-155/sanders-will-exit-campaign-to-speak

This should be a good trip for Bernie.

[flamingdem]

1. How often does a politician like Bernie come along?

How often does a Pope like Francis come along?

[northernsouthern]

2. That exactly.

When I heard about it, I was instantly wondering why it had not already happened. They are both fighting the same fight for the poor and disaffected.

[SoLeftIAmRight]

3. clinton leaves campaign to watch low IQ man get executed

now that was pandering

they go low

[msongs]

4. campaign stunt to pander to the catholic vote. hanging with the anti woman anti gay vatican nt

[beam me up scottie]

6. Who was Hillary pandering to when she said this?:

[msongs]

7. bernie is responsible for what he does. not related to what hillary does nt

[beam me up scottie]

8. Very good! He stood up for our rights when she wouldn't.

Like when he went to Liberty University and the very first thing he did was speak up about women's and lgbt people's rights:

And let me start off by acknowledging what I think all of you already know. And that is the views that many here at Liberty University have and I, on a number of important issues, are very, very different. I believe in a woman's rights....

And the right of a woman to control her own body.

I believe gay rights and gay marriage.

Now you're catching on!

[Fairgo]

5. Vaya con Dios

Tell the pope "hey" for me.

[pacalo]

9. Bernie...only candidate "to show interest in the teachings of Pope Francis".

That's quite a tribute to Bernie. He makes me proud to support him.

[Barack_America]

10. That statement alone is significant.

[pacalo]

11. It is, Barack_A.

[msanthrope]

13. Indeed.....the anti-gay, anti-woman teachings of Francis.....who has not changed a whit of dogma. n

[pacalo]

14. Both extol the Golden Rule.

Unlike those who worship the golden calf.

[mmonk]

12. I think it is an important trip and opportunity.