Washington (CNN) As the Pope's visit grips Washington, Sen. Bernie Sanders says he finds a lot that resonates in the Pontiff's message -- and he's not surprised it's irking his Republican colleagues.

The Democratic presidential candidate and Vermont independent told CNN's Chris Cuomo on "New Day" on Wednesday that a lot of what the Pope is espousing aligns with his own campaign ideals.

"He is saying that as a planet, as a people, we have got to do better," Sanders said in an interview on the White House lawn. "That accumulation of money, that worship of money, is not what life should be about, that we cannot turn our backs on our fellow human beings."

Sanders cited the Pope's message on social justice, extreme inequality and the "dispossessed" members of society like the elderly and the poor.

Read More