*UPDATED/WATCH: SEN. BERNIE SANDERS ARRIVES, SPEAKS TO CROWDS OUTSIDE VATICAN, Ap. 15

[appalachiablue]

Last edited Fri Apr 15, 2016, 02:51 PM - Edit history (1)

Bernie Arrives to Cheering Crowds Outside the Vatican and Speaks On CLIMATE CHANGE, The Need to Transfer to Alternative Energy Sources Which Pope Francis Supports, and The Importance of a *MORAL ECONOMY Espoused by Pope Francis. (Video, 6 mins.).

'Occupy Democrats' Report: This clip shows Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders arriving at the Vatican, where he is attending a conference at the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. He is pleasantly surprised to be greeted like a returning hero – crowds of Italians turned out to happily chant “Bernie! Bernie!” Senator Sanders obliges them with a moving speech about the pressing need for economic justice in the global economy.

“Very very wealthy people are becoming wealthier while most people are becoming poorer. In fact, the top 1% of people on this planet own more wealth than the 99% of the rest. That, to me, is unacceptable, it is unsustainable, it is immoral, and together we’ve got to change that. I have been enormously impressed by Pope Francis for speaking out on his visionary views about creating a moral economy, an economy that works for all people – not just the people on top!”

He goes on to discuss the dominance of the fossil fuel industry and the growing threat of climate change, another issue which he and the Holy Father are both very passionate about. He highlights how all the issues are interconnected and all trails lead back to the gross power and influence of the global oligarchy which controls the vast majority of the world’s wealth. It’s a very moving scene which emphasizes Sanders’ leadership and his ability to bring people together – and shows that his ideas are popular not just among Americans, but strikingly resonate among people from all over the world.
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/04/15/watch-crowd-goes-nuts-bernie-arrives-vatican-blasts-immoral-greed-destroying-planet/
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The Pope Sends Greetings, Blessings and a Personal Handwritten Note to Visiting Senator Bernie Sanders.

[appalachiablue]

1. St. Peter's Basilica and Square in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy. Magnificent!

[tomm2thumbs]

2. (FELL OUT OF MY CHAIR - CNN Actually Covered It?!!)

Everyone up in corporate must've had too many drinks last night after the debate to be up early to stop the cameras from rolling.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

5. They STILL tried to dismiss him by implying the people calling "Bernie" were stooges.

[Lodestar]

12. That's not how I heard it. I think they were saying

that they didn't know if those people who turned out (and I assume were chanting Ber-nie)
were American tourists or Italians. I didn't hear anything cynical in trying to make that
distinction. The question went through my mind as well.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

13. CNN acts like they can't understand why anyone likes him.

[tirebiter]

3. What happened to the seperation of church and state, dude?

He can go as a private citizen, imho, but as a senator he's crossing a line. That would require full out of pocket expenses.

http://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/11/world/us-and-vatican-restore-full-ties-after-117-years.html

U.S. AND VATICAN RESTORE FULL TIES AFTER 117 YEARS

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (1984)— The United States and the Vatican established full diplomatic relations today for the first time in 117 years.

The step, announced here and at the Vatican this morning, was described by spokesmen for the Reagan Administration as intended to improve communications at a time when Pope John Paul II has become increasingly involved in international affairs.

But it touched off strong criticism among Protestant groups, as well as some Jewish and civil liberties groups, who criticized the move as a violation of the separation of church and state. Roman Catholic reaction was restrained and cautious.

Since the time of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, some Presidents have sent personal representatives to the Holy See, but attempts to upgrade the diplomatic contact have been opposed. In November, however, when Congress repealed the 1867 ban, there was no debate in either the House or the Senate, and therefore there was little public attention.

[ish of the hammer]

4. what's yer point, dude ...

was Sanders advocating establishing a law based on a religion?

[Plucketeer]

8. It IS about salvation!

Salvation of the WORLD. And those who have the attention of the masses have an obligation to work in concert - no matter WHO they worship. If you can't see that, might I suggest you gnaw on radials instead of BIAS piys.

[Fawke Em]

9. Did you complain when Hillary attended the National Day of Prayer as a senator?

Somehow I doubt it.

[dchill]

11. +1

[JDPriestly]

10. Bernie is Jewish. (In case anyone did not know that already.)

He is not at the Vatican to advocate for any religion. He is attending a symposium on a matter that is of universal concern to all religions.

That does not violate any separation of church and state.

It is unfortunate that Hillary fans cannot accept the honor that this invitation has bestowed on Bernie in a gracious way.

Bernie earned this invitation. He has courageously spoken out against the excessive greed of some in our society and in our country.

The lack of humility and grace of some of her supporters reflects negatively on Hillary herself.

[ConsiderThis_2016]

6. I bet former speaker John Boehner is crying in his beer. :)

"Thursday was a moment of highs and lows for the speaker of the House. The former altar boy who attended Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Reading, Ohio, hosted the Pope. He’d been working on that project for 20 years. “It’s a pretty big deal for a little Catholic boy like me,” he said. After experiencing the eternal questions in the Pope’s presence and the soul-examining questions in his address" http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/09/john_boehner_resigned_after_the_pope_s_visit_there_was_nothing_left_for.html

[appalachiablue]

7. The Vatican Museum in the Vatican contains many of the most brilliant western works of art.

The museum is a conglomerate of galleries which hosts some of the greatest collection of artworks in the world. The Vatican Museum was founded by Pope Julius II the 16th century during the Renaissance in Italy. Visitors can admire Michelangelo’s masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel and Raphael’s paintings in the pope rooms.



The Sistine Chapel Ceiling of Michelangelo, landmark Renaissance work painted 1508-1512.



Raphael's magnificent work, "The School of Athens" fresco painted 1509-1511. Portrays a grouping of the greatest mathematicians, philosophers and scientists of antiquity including Aristotle and Plato.





"Angel Musician" Fresco, late 15th c.



Michelangelo's "Pieta" Masterpiece.