Sanders, a U.S. Senator from Vermont, traveled to the Vatican to address a conference on social, economic and environmental issues.
He described his meeting with the Pope as “extraordinary,” saying it happened before Francis left for Greece, where he’s visiting refugees.
They met in a hallway at the Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican residence where Sanders and his wife spent the night, he said.
“It was an extraordinary moment. And I enjoyed the opportunity to chat with him,” Sanders said.
He declined to provide details on what the Pope said, saying he’d rather keep it to himself.
” I just wanted to let him know how appreciative I was and the extraordinary role he’s playing throughout the world in raising consciousness about massive levels of income and wealth inequality,” he said.
Sanders said there were no photos of the meeting.
‘It was wonderful’
Sanders landed in Rome on Friday morning, and traveled to the Vatican in a motorcade. His wife, Jane, four children and a few grandchildren traveled with him.
Sanders entered through the Perugino Gate of Vatican City, where he was greeted by a dozen or so expat supporters bearing signs reading, “Rome is berning.”
Sanders began his 15-minute speech to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences with a show of admiration for Pope Francis, emphasizing their agreement on issues of economic justice.
After his address, Sanders walked through the gate and greeted onlookers before briefly speaking to the press.
Sanders had said before the trip he would be honored to meet Pope Francis.
But on Friday morning, Francis sent a note to conference attendees saying that would not attend because he is going to Lesbos early Saturday morning. The Greek island has become a focal point of the Syrian refugee crisis.
The self-described socialist Jewish senator and the leader of the Catholic Church make for odd bedfellows in many ways.
Sanders rails against “the establishment,” and his platform includes support for abortion and LGBT rights, in contrast to positions taken by Pope Francis.
Still, Sanders has shown fondness for the Christian leader, saying recently he was “a very great fan” of the Pope and his messages, especially on the need to pay attention to the dispossessed and avoid the idolatry of money.
The Sanders campaign denied any political motivation behind the trip, saying the conference was an opportunity for the senator to spread his message of economic inequality.
