Gov. Rauner’s Roman Holiday
Cardinal Blase Cupich (L), Diana Rauner (Center) and Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) at the Vatican in Rome. Gov. Bruce Rauner Facebook Page
At least one Republican lawmaker complained that last week’s veto session ended after only two days. But GOP Governor Bruce Rauner wasn’t around for more budget meetings anyway. Instead, he was in Rome, along with his wife Diana and daughter Katherine. And Rauner wasn’t the only Illinois politician in Italy. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and State Senate President John Cullerton, a Democrat, were there too, all to witness Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich become a cardinal.
None of their trips were paid for by taxpayers.
Rauner posted several videos to his Facebook page during the four-day trip.
“This morning we went to our first Papal mass; 150,000 in St. Peter’s Square,” the governor said in one of his video postings. “Completely filled. Beautiful day, 70 degrees, sunny, beautiful clouds, birds flying over. And the Pope came by, and he came by in his Pope Mobile. Came right within a few feet of us, and we waved. Got some nice videos of it.”
Rauner also added in the video that he’s enjoyed eating Italian chocolate gelato.
In a video posted to his Facebook page, the Governor said he had a lot of “interactions” with the 80 members of Chicago’s delegation to the Vatican.
“This is a celebration not only for Catholics, but for people of all goodwill and of all faiths and of all backgrounds,” said Rauner. “This is about celebrating what unites us. This is about faith and family, and understanding and sharing and loving, caring for each other, forgiving each other, listening, understanding.”
Will that sentiment extend to the political arena?
Illinois has been mired in a stalemate, as Rauner insists on tying the budget to an agenda that Democrats refuse, as it weakens unions.
Cupich previously jumped into the fray with a pro-union speech focused on the “essential relationship between the Catholic Church and the labor movement.”