Did Pope Francis just endorse Bernie Sanders?!

Has Pope Francis endorsed Bernie Sanders? Following his meeting with the Holy Father last week, speculation that the Holy Father has voiced support for the Democratic challenger to Hillary Clinton is spreading.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Last Friday, Bernie Sanders (I-VT) flew to Vatican City to meet with Pope Francis and speak to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences regarding his view on income inequality and social justice.

It is nothing short of remarkable that of a presidential race with five contenders, four of which are Christian, the secular Jew is called to the Vatican to speak. There is clearly something about Bernie Sanders' position on social justice that resonates in the halls of the Vatican.

The Pope did meet briefly with Sanders, but Pope Francis characterized the meeting as "good manners" and nothing more. Pope Francis reiterated that he does not involve himself in politics and that anyone who thinks he is meddling should "look for a psychiatrist."

The Pope's position is above politics, which are a distinctly secular affair. The choice of a president is irrelevant when the Pope has to concern himself with the pastoral needs of over one billion Catholics.

Bernie Sanders is not construing the meeting as an endorsement either. He said of the Pope that he is "a beautiful man... I am not a Catholic, but there is a radiance that comes from him."

While the pair may align on social justice issues, there is a wide gulf between them when it comes to the right of the unborn to life. Sanders is a staunch supporter of the anti-life movement. He is also a vocal opponent of marriage.

Still, his meeting with Church leaders at the Vatican, who listened intently to his speech on social justice, suggests that at least one person running for president understands that markets and leaders are made to serve man, not the other way around.

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