Bristling at impressions that his brief greeting of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Saturday ahead of a trip to Greece was a political statement, Pope Francis called it merely “common courtesy”, and said anyone who sees it differently needs “a psychiatrist.”
“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.
“If someone thinks that greeting someone is getting involved in politics,” he said, “I recommend that they find a psychiatrist.”
So did Bernie Sanders just HAPPEN to be there when the Pope was leaving, or was there perhaps a motive for wanting to create the opportunity for a picture with the Pope during a contentious nominating process?
This whole Vatican visit has been a boondoggle for Sanders from the start.
But more than the "private audience" Kim Davis claimed to have.
ReplyDeleteBernie Sanders, Pope Stalker.
Delete's exactly the same kind of ambush meeting that Kim Davis had, your hero boy Bernie just copied her. Bernie's people tried to say it was more than what it was and the Pope shut him down publicly.
DeleteIt's so gross and I can't appreciate Bernie any longer. Religion is fucked up and I'd hope that he'd' fight against it instead of trying to meet that old kid-fucker in a dress. Pope is gross.
DeleteThat's not saying much.
DeleteHell, if it had been Sarah she would have been humping the Pope's leg.
DeleteYes, she is that desperate.
I am embarrassed by Bernie Sanders' behavior. Obviously his campaign team planned this "ambush in the hallway." Truly tacky behavior. I hope that New York voters are not flimflammed by this stunt. Interesting that Pope Francis stated that he was only acting out of common courtesy. It will be up to the Berniebros to put their loony spin on it.
ReplyDeleteBeaglemom
There are many, many people that want a chance to greet the Pope, even if only briefly. Places where the Pope is likely to pass by are coveted. Bernie Sanders (and entourage) hogged space that a worth pilgrim deserved.
DeleteIf the campaign team plans are this screwed up, then it's Bernie's duty to straighten out his team. Not just blunder along with their foolishness.
What a doofus you are 2:39 p.m. The "space" was in a private guesthouse, not along a street.
DeleteWealthy Catholics fork over big money for a private audience with the Pope. "Chance" encounters with the Pope are also for sale. The Pope is a money maker for the Vatican. The Sanders campaign engineered this meeting. Some wealthy donor made the meeting possible, probably with a hefty donation to some cause.
DeleteThere is undoubtedly quite a few people that would have liked to meet the Pope (or even just see him walk by). The Sanders campaign put out the higher bid, that's all.
Anyone who is religious in any way shape or form is broken in the brains and pope worship? What a fucked up way to live, I mean seriously, get a brain get a life and get away from this brainwashing!
DeleteI wouldn't call visiting the head offices of a bunch of pedophiles a boondoggle. So he managed to meet the CEO of the RCC corporation in a hall way. Big deal.
ReplyDeleteHe spends dog knows how much of his campaign funds on this trip using a jet that burns a f ton of fossil fuel and he bitches about corporate waste?
ReplyDeleteBut you have to understand, those rules apply only to the great unwashed, not to the Senator. He's special. See how that works?
DeleteI know! What an ecologist he is! And what a great use of his campaign funds! I'm sure the FEC approves of flying ten people from his family there on campaign donations. /s
DeleteExcellent question! He's using the Pope the same way that Kim Davis did.
DeleteIs Bernie planning on taking on the Vatican Bank?
DeleteWall St. looks like a bunch of amateurs in comparison.
It's remarkably similar to what happened with Kim Davis. Bernie had more of a "one-on-one" greeting (barely), but the way he and his campaign talked about it afterwards is the same.
DeleteExactly, 3:50.
DeleteI saw a graphic on Twitter that said the jet cost $300,000 ($17,000 per hour).
Deletehttps://twitter.com/xdelmar59/status/721533450952376320
looks like the sander's squad put out a bit of a fabrication indeed:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.politico.eu/article/bernie-sanders-secures-five-minutes-with-pope-francis/
(other sources have indicated that the same persons in the vatican who tried to undermine the pope with the kim davis "meeting" were also behind this fiasco)
Bernie Sanders secures five minutes with Pope Francis
The US presidential hopeful managed to sit down with pontiff after all.
By GABRIEL DEBENEDETTI 4/16/16, 11:40 AM CET Updated 4/16/16, 11:49 AM CET
ROME — Bernie Sanders privately met with Pope Francis at the pontiff’s residence in Vatican City on Saturday morning before the pope left on a trip for Greece.
The Democratic presidential candidate was joined by his wife Jane, advisor Jeffrey Sachs, Sachs’ wife, and Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo — who translated — for a roughly five-minute meeting before Pope Francis left for a trip to Greece, Sachs told POLITICO.
Sanders thanked the pope for his leadership on issues including the “moral economy,” the struggle to help the marginalized, income inequality, and climate change, telling the pontiff his encyclical on the matter had made a large difference to public attitudes, according to Sachs.
Francis thanked Sanders — who was stepping off the campaign trail days before the New York primary — for coming and asked him to pray for him, before leaving for Lesbos, where he was set to visit refugees.
VATICAN-CONFERENCE
ALSO ON POLITICO
Bernie Sanders invokes pope to rail against greed
GABRIEL DEBENEDETTI
The encounter was unannounced and there were no photographs taken. The Vatican press office had said in the days leading up to the conference that there was no meeting planned. The pope, a frequently-mentioned character in Sanders’ stump speech and campaign materials, was seen as unlikely to meet with Sanders due to his travel schedule.
The meeting in the foyer of the Domus of Santa Marta came about after the pope’s schedule meant he was unable to attend the conference Sanders was attending in Vatican City on Friday. At the time, he sent a hand-written note to conference attendees apologizing.
While Sanders was having dinner later on Friday night, he learned that the pope would like to meet before leaving for Greece.
Bernie lies again, no surprise.
DeleteFact wrong 2:39 PM. Bernie didn't 'sit down' with the Pope! He met him in a hall and the Pope was courteous enough to shake his hand. Nothing more than that!
DeleteBernie should have stayed in America and not taken this trip to Rome. He is obviously being discredited - as well he should be! He's going to lose the nomination!
It sounds like it was more like 30 seconds than five minutes.
DeleteThe Pope, himself, dispelled the idea that they "got to spend some time" together.
I'm getting the feeling that this whole mess was orchestrated by Sachs and Jane Sanders, but happily accepted and carried out by Bernie.
DeleteBernie said he got to spend time with the Pope. I guess that's technically true, but most of use wouldn't call a handshake and a few words, "spending time." The Pope was miffed enough to come out with a statement (in the middle of a very important event) that it was only a short greeting. The Pope knows people will try and exploit him and he nipped it in the bud.
DeleteHahaha, Politico got punked by the Sanders campaign again! What a scam.
DeleteAs an American I am ashamed that Bernie Sanders pulled this stunt. He has only been mentioning Pope Francis in his speeches because he's courting the Catholic vote. His campaign would have been better served if he had stayed stateside. Who is he going to try to schmooze next?
DeleteBeaglemom
Bernie Sanders is showing his real colors now! He isn't the sweetheart or honest man we have been led to believe! Thank god, we've found it out now.
ReplyDeleteHe's been caught in lies and making idiotic statements!
Hillary Clinton has my vote for sure!
Every time I see Bernie, I half expect him to yell SCIENCE!
ReplyDeleteI think he's more the " Get off my lawn!" type.
DeleteAh, the great Thomas Dolby!
DeleteI don't think there is anything "science-y" about Bernie Sanders. He comes across as a grumpy old man.
DeleteBeaglemom
I am expecting to see a house with balloon coming out of the roof, a boy in a boy scout outfit next him, a talking dog and a bird named Keven near by. (and I am Bernie supporter still)
DeleteBernie Sanders is repeatedly saying he met WITH Pope Francis.
ReplyDeleteThe Pope said, "I gave a greeting and nothing more."
It's been reported that no photos were taken so it's just about Sanders' misleading description of the 'meeting' for political gain.
Kim Davis flashback. Sanders disappoints.
Pope Francis' full comment on the 'greeting' is here:
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/full-text-of-pope-francis-in-flight-interview-from-lesbos-to-rome-97242/
Just last night on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Sanders stuck with the debunked 'Hillary Clinton said I was unqualified.'
ReplyDeleteMeyers corrected him, pointing out that Clinton never said that.
Sanders shrugged.
I think he's playing the same word game with his handshake with Pope Francis.
Remember when Palin tried to line up a meeting with Thatcher and they blew her off?
ReplyDeleteHe was invited by a Vatican monsignor to attend the conference. The monsignor said so. I don't recall his name but it's at MotherJones. And the pope actually wanted to show up but he was preparing for going to greece the next day and he asked an archbishop (that can be looked up too) to make a statement of apology for him. All last week, the pundits were calling the Rome trip a meeting with the pope. Bernie was attending a conference. The pope meeting would be an extra if it happened.
ReplyDeleteBernie lost in this Rome visit! He was an idiot to deviate from the race in America and he's going to pay for it!
DeleteHillary Clinton will gain the nomination and Bernie will fade into the sunset!
Hillary will get the nomination, but what you fail to realize is that the major percentage of Bernie supporters won't vote for her in the general. She will win the nomination for sure, but she won't be elected POTUS.
DeleteHe left during the run up to the NYS primary where he really needs to make a strong showing. This was an disaster on the part of his campaign.
DeleteA small percentage of Bernie supporters won't vote for her. She will be the next POTUS and your temper tantrum won't change that fact.
DeleteThe pope sent a handwritten note (NOT "he asked an archbishop to make a statement") to the conference that Bernie was attending. You're welcome for the help.
DeleteBS, Bernie conned an invitation to the conference and then tried to ambush the Pope for his own political needs. Fuck Bernie.
DeleteIn my opinion, it doesn't matter if many BS primary voters don't vote for HRC. HRC will carry a strong woman movement, African American, and if her running mate is one of the Castro brothers-Hispanic/other minority voters/young Dems/students..and President Obama will endorse her. She is the strongest candidate to win and she is the most qualified.
Delete7:37 - I agree with you. Anyone who is "Bernie or Bust" is a libertarian (e.g., refusing to vote for HRC if she wins the nom) and we can win without them.
DeleteI agree, Anon at 8:40 pm. His supporters are either left-side libertarians or leftovers from the Ralph Nader-ites of years ago. In any case, Sanders has had no interest in promoting the election of Democrats to Congress or to positions in state governments. It's only in the last week or so that there's been any mention of his sharing with other Democratic races. In the Wisconsin primary many of Sanders' voters did not vote for any other candidates in any other races, even though there are some hotly contested races there, especially on for the state Supreme Court. Other Sanders' voters in Wisconsin voted for him and then for the most conservative candidate for the court. Hmmm.
DeleteBeaglemom
What's bad in all this is Trump's comedy routine today. He went on and on with the jokes that were lies used as jokes and showed no class at all, no respect for the pope and Vatican in all this. If anyone's bothered by anything, it should be about Trump.
ReplyDeleteJokes about the Vatican and the pope are always welcome. Of course, the pedophilia, the misogyny, the grifting, etc. are no joking matter. But the Roman Catholic deserves all the contempt available.
DeleteAlso, Ted Cruz lied when he said he didn't shut down the government back in 2013 and cost ALL OF US TAXPAYERS $24 billion, with a b, dollars. Watch him lie on youtube. He blamed Obama for the shutdown. What a big POS.
DeletePlease explain why I should give the Pope ( who is currently hiding out molesters from around the world) or his institutionalized grifting organization in Vatican City any respect?
DeleteGive Bernie a GD break. He was in Vatican City. The Pope extended him a courtesy. It is not, was not, a political statement. Sheesh!!!
ReplyDeleteI'd have spit on the popes ruby red slippers, given the chance to, pope is a joke, catholics and religion are a JOKE, any of 'em and all of 'em.
DeleteSheesh!
Bernie and his followers are the ones making it a political statement.
DeleteOf course it was a political statement, why else wold a Jew go to Vatican City?
DeleteW the Pope extended him no curtesy at all, Bernie corned him in a hallway.
DeleteYes but he flew all the way to Rome to shake the pope's hand. WHY?? If not for political reasons, then WHY?? Answer me that.
DeleteWhy didn't Bernie meet the Pope during the Pope's 2015 visit to the US? Because: campaign.
DeleteIt was a cheap political stunt. No more. No less. I'm sure that there was nothing more specific in Bernie's speech than there has been in any of his campaign speeches or interviews. Bernie Sanders is all smoke and mirrors.
DeleteBeaglemom
Is Bernie going to tell the Pope he should share "his" wealth with the poor.
ReplyDeleteNot much is more greedy than the Catholic Church.
The catholic church is the biggest farce in the world and I am disappointed that Bernie even deigned to try to meet the pope.
ReplyDeleteThe pope, give me a fucking break, he's in charge of the largest group of pedophiles in this world. Why anyone would want to meet him or greet him or do anything other than spit in his ugly face is beyond me.
He leads a contingent of nearly a billion brainwashed morons that believe in a fucking fairy tale and need to grow up and find reason, but instead they are too stupid to stop for a second and all realize how dumb they are.
Until this weird movement is stopped in its tracks, along with ALL other religions, then there is no hope for us as humans.
Fetish worshipping weirdos...all of them and any of them, religions that is.
I personally need an Atheist candidate for POTUS and since being able to vote in 1984 can't bring myself to vote for anyone that romances the deluded religious people. I write in the Atheist Candidate and have since 1984. No one seems to understand the separation of church and state; I thought Bernie might, but pope pandering killed his chance at my vote, not that it matters as my state is electorally red, forever, but I still can vote write in for the Atheist.
ReplyDeleteGreat. Then you helped elect George W. Bush two times. How proud of that are you?
DeleteBeaglemom
There's a hooooooge difference between "Meeting" and "Greeting". The Pope, out of his own common kindness may have shook Bernie's hand early to stop him from stalking the Pope the entire day for a photo op.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Italian Press (RAI, the television station) the media were politely asked not to take photos NOR make this part of American Politics.
The Pope had other business with the refugee crisis in Lesbos Greece with other religious leaders, including Greek Orthodox, to shed light on a humanitarian crisis.
I don't care what party anyone's from, it reflects poorly on us as a country to even have to explain or excuse this attention grab.
He was invited by a monsignor after at least four letters, and was rejected four times for a meet and greet or private meeting. The Pope explained it perfectly clear, Bernie knew where the conference began in rome, stayed at the hotel others who weren't invited stayed, and knew the "meeting" may or may not happen.
Spend too much time with that pope pedophile guy and you might just get poked up the butt, if you are a guy that is. Not sure why Bernie would want to even meet the old kid-fucker, doesn't make sense, catholic church richest company in the world that gives very little back to the world except to defile young boys, the antithesis of everything I thought Bernie Sanders stood for.
DeleteBernie, you disappoint.
I think I will make another donation to Bernie's campaign! Go Bernie!
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
DeleteGreat. He needs the cash. I heard he's flying his private campaign jet to India to wave at the Dalai Lama from across the street.
DeleteGo to hell, Bernie!
DeleteHe's aged a bit since his movie "Weekend at Bernies", but his arms got their mojo back!!!
DeleteCalm down, folks.
ReplyDeleteEvery politician tries to attract as many followers as he can.
The Pope and Sanders have said many of the same things.
I've just sent another $27 to the Sanders campaign. It can't compete with the thousands and thousands of dollars that Clooney & Co. raised with Hillary out in Tinseltown this weekend. They're all sidling up to her so they can say they've bought a night in the Lincoln Bedroom, just as Bill used to auction it off.
That money is to finance down ballot democrats. You know, the people Bernie would need to pass any of his pie-in-the-sky legislation. But, go ahead and send another $27 so Bernie can print up a few more "Birdie Sanders" bumper stickers.
DeleteI can only imagine your reaction if this had been Clinton instead of Sanders.
DeleteSanders took advantage of the Pope, just like Kim Davis! Bernie us a slime ball!
DeleteObviously, Clinton didn't pull this stunt, so it's all on him and his campaign manager who has been caught before for his "creatvity" in reporting.
DeleteBetter send him more than a measley 27 bucks, flying a private jet to Italy and back isn't cheap.
DeleteBernie & his ideologies aren't what you think it is. He's the teabagger of the left wing. All pie in the sky stuff with no firm plans on how he is going to accomplish it. I like his ideology but he's a bumper sticker campaigner. If he becomes the nominee the GOP will tear him a new asshole and he will have to take back everything he promised he wants you to think he can deliver. Revolution my ass...he's the opposite side of the Teabagging coin.
DeleteSanders photo op! Just as bad as Palin and that messed up evangelical chick who also claimed she had a personal invitation from the vatican/pope. Everyone wants to use the pope. It makes them look righteous and holy.
ReplyDeleteCheck out Sanders' facebook page.
ReplyDeleteThe Sanders campaign is raising money using the photo of the Pope with "Bernie 2016" on it. It's really shameless.
Smoke and mirrors. How many times have politicians done that before. He's no better.
DeleteThe Sanders campaign chartered a plane, stayed in a fancy Pope residence, which financed by the Catholic church, using their overwhelming wealthy and donations. All in the name of discussing the unequal distribution of wealth. I really though Sanders was smarter than that.
ReplyDelete*thought
DeleteThey didn't stay in a fancy pope residence. I don't think they stayed anywhere, he was too busy with photo ops the whole time.
Delete@ anon 5:27 pm
DeleteHe stayed multiple nights.
He stayed in a hotel at the Vatican.
DeleteTwo of Sanders's "consultants" have done "consulting" for the Vatican. One of them arranged the "invitation" and then smuggled Sanders inside the door of the Pope's residence, ambushing the Pope the same way he was ambushed by the Kim Davis smugglers.
ReplyDeleteSanders's cult worship Sanders. Catholics do not worship the Pope.
I just had a Sanders fan on Twitter tell me that President Sanders should "create some traffic problems" in the South out of spite that so few voted for him. This seems to be the prevailing intellect of the Sanders cult.
That sounds like a Chris Christie move.
DeleteTHE POPE FRANCIS SHOULD BE THANKFUL TO GOD THAT BERNIE SANDERS DIDN'T STALK THE POPE IN THE MEN'S ROOM WHILE HE WAS TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS.
ReplyDeleteWhy are you shouting?
DeleteWhy don't I like Jane Sanders? There's something, I can't quite put my finger on it, that I don't like about her. I guess that's okay because she's not running for President, her husband is.
Delete8:07 - because Jane is shady. Read this from 2011 to see what her former staff thought of her: http://vtdigger.org/2011/09/27/jane-sanders-resigns-presidency-of-burlington-college-reaches-settlement/
DeleteBernin HELL Sanders
ReplyDeleteFeeling the Bern!
DeleteWho is Bernie Sanders going to stalk next?
ReplyDeleteThe Easter Bunny?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: In this crucial election, I’m endorsing Hillary Clinton
ReplyDeletehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/kareem-abdul-jabbar-in-this-crucial-election-im-endorsing-hillary-clinton/2016/04/15/305bd5fc-0244-11e6-9203-7b8670959b88_story.html
Bernie Sanders did you go all the way to the Vatican on a pretense you were invited so you can get on your knees looking under bathroom stall doors to seek a meeting with Pope Francis?
ReplyDeleteCAN YOU SAY STALKER?
Kim Davis much Bernie?
ReplyDeleteA passing in the hallway is not a "I was invited to meet the Pope" kind of moment.
Please proceed Senator.
+1000
DeleteJane Fonda warns 'there will be violence' if Hillary Clinton becomes president
ReplyDelete● Jane Fonda has warned 'there will be violence' if Hillary Clinton is elected
● Actress said there would be backlash against the first female president
● Fonda said U.S. has a 'toxic masculinity' which 'needs to be addressed'
But the social activist still believe Hillary will win this year's election race
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3543666/Jane-Fonda-warns-violence-Hillary-Clinton-president.html
Gee, now Jane Fonda has sunk as low as Sarah Palin! These fear-mongering tactics have no place in American politics.
DeleteBeaglemom
Bernie Sanders's stalking of the Pipe is so bad
ReplyDeleteHow Bad Is It?
Photo Op Bernie Sanders stalking Pope Francis is so bad not even the great photo op seeker herself Sarah Palin would not stoop that low to stalk the Pope in hallways as he is leaving his residence to go to the airport just to say she had a meeting with the Pope.
Yes she would! She just wouldn't be able to get Jeffrey Sachs to smuggle her in.
DeleteThis Internet report makes it look worse for Bernie Sanders
ReplyDelete"finding him in the foyer of his residence"
The Wall Street Journal -
ROME - Pope Francis met with Sen. Bernie Sanders on Saturday during the presidential candidate’s visit to Rome, but the pontiff played down the brief encounter, saying he had merely shaken Mr. Sanders’s hand out of politeness after finding him in the foyer of his residence early that morning.
“This morning when I came out there was Senator Sanders,” the pope said. “He knew I was going to come out at that hour....
“When I came down, he greeted me, we shook hands and nothing more. It’s common courtesy, it’s called common courtesy ....
Way to go, pope-guy; don't let the overwrought politicos get away with this c**p.
ReplyDeleteThe papal nuncio responsible for for the Kim Davis ambush lost his job. Pope Francis doesn't tolerate manipulators who try to trade on his good will. Bernie maybe has learned a lesson.
ReplyDeleteGryph and you other Hillary shills are so desperate and fearful of Bernie Sanders that you have created a false narrative of the " Meeting with the Pope " I challenge you Gryph to link the article of anybody associated with the Sanders campaign who even remotely claimed that Sanders was meeting with the Pope, The Hillary campaigned created this supposed meeting out of Bernie being invited to speak at a conference at the Vatican . I want you to know that this kind of false attacking makes you no better than the Palin hag herself, I'm beginning to wonder if Gryph isn't holding Munchhausen longings for his one time enemy ? So I'm waiting Gryph or any of you, time to put up or shut up, You have been officially Berned.
ReplyDeleteHere you go, Raz. From the mouth of Bernie himself. If you don't want to watch it, the interviewer on The View says "You're meeting with the Pope?" Bernie responds "yup". Interviewer says Bernie Sanders has been invited to meet with the Pope! And the crowd cheers.
DeleteBut maybe Bernie Sander is not "remotely" connected to his own campaign. I'm beginning to suspect this may be the case.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDu4dCLoE74
Hello? Raz?
DeleteC'mon, man. I took your challenge!
8:36 thank you so much for this site. Everyone should read it plus the comments that include information about Bernie printed over four years ago but are very telling comments. Here is the site again: http://vtdigger.org/2011/09/27/jane-sanders-resigns-presidency-of-burlington-college-reaches-settlement/
ReplyDeleteThank you 8:00am very enlightening
DeleteComment from article:
Michael Kosak4 months 30 days ago
Read this carefully and then picture these good little socialsts in charge of THE GOVERNMENT where they have the guns and power to force their will on others, for their own good:
“Staff, faculty and students “have been reduced to silence and fear of retribution by what can only be described as a pattern of intimidation, spying, and targeting of critical voices,” she wrote.
“Grill described a closed and hostile environment, claiming that Sanders frequently yelled at staff and managed to eliminate anyone who voiced criticism. In the letter, Grill claims that “many concerned voices were forced out by continual abuse and by eventually being offered humiliating and unfair contracts in which they were demoted below people who were, in many cases, less qualified for their positions.”
Bernie is courting Catholics, who comprise almost a quarter of the US population, and a whole lot of New Yorkers. He's a day late and a dollar short--probably the story of his life, since he's waited all this time to suddenly have presidential aspirations.
ReplyDelete