Pope: Sanders encounter sign of good manners, 'nothing more'
Source: Associated Press / Boston Herald
"When I came down, I greeted them, shook their hands and nothing more. This is good manners. It's called good manners and not getting mixed up in politics. If anyone thinks that greeting someone means getting involved in politics, they should see a psychiatrist," the pope said.
…
Popes rarely travel to countries during the thick of political campaigns, knowing a papal photo opportunity with the sitting head of state can be exploited for political ends.
But Francis has been known to flout Vatican protocol, and the meeting with Sanders was evidence that his personal desires often trump Vatican diplomacy.
"His message is resonating with every religion on earth with people who have no religion and it is a message that says we have got to inject morality and justice into the global economy," Sanders said.
Sanders said the meeting should not be viewed as the pope injecting himself into the campaign.
…
The invitation to Sanders to address that session raised eyebrows when it was announced and touched off allegations that the senator lobbied for the invitation.
But the chancellor for the pontifical academy, Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, said he invited Sanders because he was the only U.S. presidential candidate who showed deep interest in the teachings of Francis.
Read more: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/2016/04/pope_sanders_encounter_sign_of_good_manners_nothing_more
= new reply since forum marked as read
he has no wife and kids, but he was "retired" for his shenanigans 
Having said that, this Academy, the scholars are appointed by the Pope. The Pope can also remove them. So, I expect to see some scholarly "retirements" as well as the Monsignor that were involved.
I'm just not finding this whole thing funny, so I'm a bit cranky about it. 
If Mr. Sanders were in the foyer of the Casa Santa Marta at 6 a.m. the next day, he would be able to speak briefly with Francis as the pope headed to the airport for his Saturday trip to Greece, where the pope would be addressing the migrant crisis.
So early Saturday morning, Mr. Sanders stood in the marble foyer, which looks out onto a large cobblestone drive just inside the Vatican walls. Joining him were his wife, Mr. Sachs and his wife and Bishop Sánchez Sorondo, the senator’s de facto Vatican fixer.
The pope, speaking to reporters on his plane later in the day, described the meeting. “This morning when I was leaving, Senator Sanders was there,” he said, adding, “He knew I was leaving at that time, and he had the courtesy to greet me.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/17/us/politics/bernie-sanders-pope-francis-vatican.html
Anything else you need help with?
In your post, you state that Senator Sanders invited himself to see the Pope.
My source makes it crystal clear that Senator Sanders met the Pope because the Pope's staff made it happen by sending instructions to Sanders as to where to be and when.
Really, it's pretty simple. And claiming that my source verifies your claim that Senator Sanders invited himself to meet the Pope is bullshit.
Honestly, though, this is getting played out, don't you think? Sorry I struck a nerve there when I called your bullshit out for what it was. But let's move on. There are lots of other threads out there. So better luck next time.
I'm just sorry that he was unable to concede that he was mischaracterizing the entire nature of the meeting. The time of the meeting was the least of it.
One thing strikes me about a lot of these Clinton supporters who are attacking (for whatever odd reason) Senator Sanders' Vatican visit. In general, they seem utterly clueless as to the political leanings of Pope Francis and Bishop Sorondo (fellow Argentinians who share many beliefs beyond Catholic dogma). Without that background, they're unable to place the recent events in context. But I digress.
Anyway, thanks for the support.
====================
I guess simply answering an honest question with an honest answer is not acceptable, who knew? Didn't realize that simply answering a question was something I should "move on" from in the LBN forum.
Wow.
Accusations of "very nasty comments," with no proof, no examples; followed by the intimation that only "outright praise" must follow for Senator Sanders.
Each candidate has their share of derisive, puerile supporters. Those of us who support Senator Sanders are no more likely to be "very nasty" than those of us who support Hi11ary.
(BTW, my mailbox is full of jury results, many of which were the consequences of frivolous alerts, primarily submitted by Hi11ary supporters attempting to hide pro-Bernie posts. hmm... Sound familiar?)
(P. S. Thanks for posting the link to the hummingbird nest cam.)
Other reasons would include sour grapes and partisan-inspired pettiness.
... and declared, "Well, who wants to attend a Vatican conference anyway?"
Especially when you can sell dinner plates and selfies for $33,000 a pop. Hillary's time was much better spent. Cha-ching!
Vatican, Shmatican.
("He wasn't invited!" Yes, he was. "He won't meet with the Pope!" Yes, he did. "He didn't meet with him the right way!"
, and just being generally rather unhinged ("He's a Pope Stalker!!1!@)
I don't love it because it's absurd and sad. Reminds me of the PUMA movement.
