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Bernie Sanders arrives at the Vatican | Bernie Sanders arrives at the Vatican |
(35 minutes later) | |
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has arrived in Vatican City to speak at an economy and social justice conference. | Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has arrived in Vatican City to speak at an economy and social justice conference. |
There are no plans for him to meet personally with Pope Francis. | There are no plans for him to meet personally with Pope Francis. |
"I'm so excited and proud to be here with other people who are trying to create a moral economy," he told supporters outside the Vatican. | "I'm so excited and proud to be here with other people who are trying to create a moral economy," he told supporters outside the Vatican. |
The visit comes just four days before a crucial state primary contest in his native New York. | The visit comes just four days before a crucial state primary contest in his native New York. |
On Thursday night, the Vermont senator and his rival Hillary Clinton clashed on Wall Street banks, gun controls and the minimum wage in a punchy debate. | On Thursday night, the Vermont senator and his rival Hillary Clinton clashed on Wall Street banks, gun controls and the minimum wage in a punchy debate. |
Afterwards he flew to Rome, where supporters were gathered at the Vatican wearing T-shirts saying: "Rome feels the Bern." | Afterwards he flew to Rome, where supporters were gathered at the Vatican wearing T-shirts saying: "Rome feels the Bern." |
Mr Sanders said inequality, injustice and pollution are causing "devastating" problems. | Mr Sanders said inequality, injustice and pollution are causing "devastating" problems. |
And he admires the pope for his views on income inequality and greed. | And he admires the pope for his views on income inequality and greed. |
Some political commentators have wondered why he would travel to Rome so close to the New York primary. | |
"It's a real misstep," New York Times columnist Charles Blow said on CNN. "He's basically going to be saying the same thing there that he's been saying here." | |
Mr Sanders' campaign manager Jeff Weaver defended the trip at a rally. | |
"Hillary Clinton has been out of the state on a number of occasions for high-dollar fundraisers," he said. "We think this is a more important reason to leave the campaign trail for the day." |