It's interesting to see how popular the pope is on DU these days.

[Renew Deal]

Especially compared to a few years ago.

[Warren DeMontague]

1. Maybe that's because "a few years ago" The Pope was this guy?

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/what-pope-benedict-knew-about-abuse-in-the-catholic-church

[Blue_Adept]

12. Eh, the pope was getting castigated just last year around here in a big way

It is quite the reversal

[Warren DeMontague]

22. I think a lot of ppl on the left are ambivalent or situationally supportive of the current Pope, and

it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why.

Specifically, after decades of hard-right, Opus Dei type leadership from the Vatican, this is arguably the first guy since John XXIII to really emphasize the social justice, Jesuit, "jesus said help the poor" side of things.

That said, I'm not a big fan of Popes, or the Vatican. If I want to take Moral Direction from an old guy in a big silly hat, I'll listen to Vermin Supreme.

[NCTraveler]

2. Not from me. He is a flat out a bigot and a sexist. He promotes both. nt.

[Renew Deal]

4. This was the automatic response up until even recently.

[NCTraveler]

5. It should still be the response. He is on record as both.

I do agree with you. Very recently.

[Arugula Latte]

19. Nothing has changed. Pope Photo Op hasn't changed Vatican policy.

That fucking church is still a cesspool of misogyny and corruption.

[m-lekktor]

3. I am a huge Bernie supporter and not a fan of the Pope or the Catholic Church!

next topic!

[2pooped2pop]

6. more interesting is how Hillary is not

Popular with the pope or the people. Keep checking your mail Hillary. I'm sure your invite is just misplaced. Maybe it came email and you deleted it. Check your cloud.

[TheBlackAdder]

7. His humanist ideas are aligning with progressivism, not the progressivism perverted by Reagan Dems.

[riderinthestorm]

8. He's a bigot but he's right on economic justice

And that's what Bernie’s invited to speak on - a moral economy.

Meanwhile Hillary will be in CA schmoozing with the 1% at $300k/plate...

Some of us can hold two thoughts in our head at the same time.

After all I voted for Obama while he was still a bigot on LGBT matters...

[riderinthestorm]

11. Just edited that out as soon as I posted it

Thanks!

[one_voice]

10. A few years ago?

A few months ago.

[Tarc]

13. The Sanders camp has flexible morals, they bend and twist to any possible outcome

Then) "The Pope is out of touch with America! His stance on LGBT rights is abhorrent!"

Now) "The Pope invited the Bern to visit! We the Pope!"

It's as transparent as glass.

[CorkySt.Clair]

15. +1

"He's a bigot but he supports Bernie so he's okay in my book"

- Berniebros everywhere

[rachacha]

16. I'm sure there is also room in your world view for nuance

I disagree with you vehemently on who is more fit to be the democratic nominee, but I'll bet there's a significant set of things we can agree on.

[Tarc]

17. I'm sure there are many things we can agree on

The least democrat is miles better than the best Republican; I will cheerfully vote for either Bernie or Hillary in the fall, whichever secures the nomination.

I wish more Sanders DU people could say the same.

[lunasun]

14. I hope he learns something by having Sanders visit . He hopefully will enligten the pope.

religious homophobic super sexist celibate,
Bernie can chose not to affirm these beliefs while still addressing peace , climate change etc.
Both probably welcome the world stage for their voices on these subjects . I am for the meeting

[Arugula Latte]

20. I doubt it. The entire premise of the RCC is based on utter nonsense.

It's not going to change. People just need to stop supporting that vile institution. No more butts in the pews, no more $ in the plate. That's the key.

[Sheepshank]

18. interesting or predictable? n/t

[killbotfactory]

21. He's helping to end the Colombian civil war, and helped normalize our relations with Cuba.

he has the usual regressive catholic social policies, but he's started chipping away at some of those, too.