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U.S. NEWS A3
Saturday 16 April 2016
At the Vatican, Sanders blasts ‘immoral’ wealth inequalityÂ
KEN THOMAS of foreign policy but he was system. During the meetings, he sat in the campaign until the
NICOLE WINFIELD peppered with questions He told the audience that next to the other main guest party’s July convention.
Associated Press from academics and ec- rather than a world econ- of honor at the Vatican: His message calling for a
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Ber- clesiastics in a manner that omy that looks out for the Bolivian President Evo Mo- political revolution to ad-
nie Sanders issued a global might have been afforded common good, “we have rales, whose is renowned dress wealth inequality and
call to action at the Vatican a head of state. been left with an economy for his anti-imperialist, so- the influence of Wall Street
on Friday to address “im- on U.S. politics has galva-
moral and unsustainable†US Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. speaks at a conference nized many Democrats
wealth inequality and pov- commemorating the 25th anniversary of ‘ Centesimus Annus,’ a high-level teaching document and independents.
erty, using the high-profile by Pope John Paul II on the economy and social justice at the end of the Cold War, at the Vatican, Despite being enmeshed
gathering to echo one of Friday, April 15, 2016. in an increasingly bitter
the central platforms of his campaign against Clinton,
presidential campaign. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Sanders aides said the trip
The Democratic senator was not aimed at appeal-
from Vermont cited Pope Sanders trails Clinton in the operated for the top 1 per- cialist rhetoric. President ing to Catholic voters who
Francis and St. John Paul Democratic primaries but cent, who get richer and Rafael Correa of Ecuador comprise a large share of
II repeatedly during his the trip to the Vatican and richer as the working class, also attended. the Democratic electorate
speech to the Vatican con- his massive rally earlier this the young and the poor fall As he walked through in New York and an upcom-
ference commemorating week with 27,000 people further and further behind.†Vatican City’s Perugino ing contest in Pennsylvania.
the 25th anniversary of a in New York City may have “We don’t choose to po- gate, Sanders was greeted The Vatican has been loath
landmark teaching docu- offered a glimpse of the liticize the pope,†Sanders about two dozen support- to get involved in electoral
ment from John Paul on so- senator’s aim to become told attendees, “but his ers, some of whom car- campaigns and usually tries
cial and economic justice a progressive leader, win or spirit and courage and the ried signs bearing Sand- to avoid any perception of
after the Cold War. lose. The discussions gave fact, if I may say so here, ers’ name. “This is the first partisanship involving the
Sanders arrived in Rome him a chance to expand that his words have gone candidate I have seen in pope. Popes rarely travel to
hours after wrapping up a on his core campaign mes- way, way, way beyond the awhile, a matter of fact countries during the thick of
debate in New York Thurs- sages about the need to Catholic Church.†my entire life, that I feel like political campaigns, know-
day night, saying the op- reform banking regula- Sanders also warned that wants to make real chang- ing a papal photo oppor-
portunity to address the tions, campaign finance youth around the world are es,†said Kevin Jaksik, 29, of tunity with a sitting head of
Vatican conference was rules and higher education. no longer satisfied with the Austin, Texas, who now lives state could be exploited for
too meaningful to pass up. Asked about inequality in status quo, which includes in Rome. political ends.
The roughly 24-hour visit public education, he said it “corrupt and broken poli- Back home, Clinton holds As a result, the invitation
precedes Tuesday’s crucial was “beyond disgraceful†tics and an economy of a significant delegate lead to Sanders to address the
New York primary, which and cited challenging con- stark inequality and injus- against Sanders, but the Vatican conference raised
Sanders must do well in to ditions in Detroit’s school tice.†senator has vowed to stay eyebrows and allegations
maintain a viable chal- that the senator lobbied for
lenge to Democratic front- the invitation.
runner Hillary Clinton. The chancellor for the pon-
Pope Francis apologized tifical academy, Bishop
that he couldn’t personally Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo,
greet participants at the has said he invited Sand-
Vatican conference. No ers because he was the
meeting with Sanders was only U.S. presidential can-
expected. didate who showed deep
But the trip gave Sanders interest in the teachings of
a moment on the world Francis.
stage, placing him along- The Rev. Matt Malone, edi-
side priests, bishops, aca- tor of the Jesuit magazine
demics and two South America, said Sanders’ trip
American presidents. Sand- was unlikely to have much
ers has been at a disadvan- of an impact on Catholic
tage during his campaign voters, noting that confer-
against Clinton, President ences like the one Sanders
Barack Obama’s former is attending “happen all
secretary of state, on issues the time.â€q
