The Latest: Sanders invited to Vatican by Pope

Published April 08, 2016

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton waits for a subway train at the 161St - Yankee Stadium stop in the Bronx borough of New York, Thursday, April 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) (The Associated Press)

The Latest on the 2016 presidential campaign (all times local):

8:50 a.m.

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has revealed that he's been invited to the Vatican to visit Pope Francis.

Sanders didn't say in an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Friday when the trip would occur, but said he was very moved by the invitation.

Sanders is Jewish. He says he's a "very, very big fan of the pope," although he says the pair has differences on some issues.

The Vermont senator says he respects the pope's statements bemoaning "the idolatry of money" in too many societies.

8:40 a.m.

Sen. Bernie Sanders is backing away from an earlier suggestion that Hillary Clinton isn't qualified to be president.

Appearing in nationally broadcast interviews on Friday, Sanders defended speaking out harshly against Clinton, saying "we've got to fight back" against statements that she's made. But when asked whether she was qualified for the White House, Sanders said "of course" and that Clinton "on her worst day" would still be "an infinitely better candidate" than anyone on the Republican side.

Clinton made similar remarks Friday, saying Sanders would be a better president than anyone in the GOP. She shrugged off his recent criticisms, noting "people say lots of things" on the campaign.

Sanders appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" and NBC's "Today." Clinton appeared on "Today."

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7:50 a.m.

Hillary Clinton says Republicans are living in a world of "fantasy and hope" if they think she'll be indicted over her use of a private email server while serving as secretary of state.

Legal experts agree that charges are unlikely. But Matt Lauer of NBC's "Today" says Republicans tell him privately they hope Clinton will be taken out of the election equation in coming months because of criminal charges.

Clinton laughed at the suggestion, saying the suggestion shows how desperate the GOP has become and that their "fondest wishes" won't come true.

Of the ongoing investigation, Clinton calls it a "security review" that is "conducted in our government all the time."

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/the-latest-sanders-invited-to-vatican-by-pope