Vatican City, Apr 8, 2016 / 11:25 am
Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has announced that he will attend a Vatican conference on social justice and the economy just before the New York primary election on April 19.
"I was very moved by the invitation from the Vatican which was just made public today," Sanders said April 8 during an interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
The invitation was extended on behalf of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
The academy is hosting an academic discussion April 15 to 16 to mark the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's encyclical, Centesimus annus which was written for the 100th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII's encyclical Rerum novarum.
Participants will reflect on world changes over the last 25 years and how Catholic social teaching can best serve these new challenges.
Sanders called himself a "big, big fan" of Pope Francis for his work at "injecting moral consequence into the economy."
"He's trying to inject a sense of morality into how we do economics," Sanders said, "and we need that absolutely, desperately."
Sanders has been an outspoken advocate for the poor and unemployed, supporting issues such as a national $15 per hour minimum wage and free tuition at public colleges and universities as well as expansion of social security benefits for the elderly.
However, Sanders noted of the Holy Father, "Obviously there are areas where we disagree on women's rights (and) on gay rights."
Sanders has described himself as "very strongly pro-choice" and has made the repeal of the Hyde Amendment – a law that bars taxpayer funds from being used for abortions – a part of his presidential campaign.
He has a strong record of voting against pro-life proposals in the Senate, including most recently, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act which would prevent abortion after 20 weeks gestation, when an unborn child is capable of feeling pain.
A longtime supporter of gay rights, Sanders has vowed to "(v)eto any legislation that purports to 'protect' religious liberty at the expense of other's rights" if he's elected president.
Sanders said that he will speak at the upcoming conference on April 15, though it has not been confirmed if he will actually meet Pope Francis.
Photo credit: www.shutterstock.com.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA