Pope Francis named person of the year by Time magazine

VATICAN: Pope Francis has been named as person of the year by Time magazine.

The pontiff – the first-ever South American pope, was chosen as the person who had the greatest impact on the world, for good or bad, during the last year. Time managing editor Nancy Gibbs said the former Argentinean Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio had changed the tone, the perception and focus of one of the world’s largest institutions in an extraordinary way.

Commenting, Vatican spokesman the Rev Federico Lombardi said: ‘The Holy Father is not looking to become famous or to receive honours. ‘But if the choice of person of year helps spread the message of the Gospel – a message of God’s love for everyone – he will certainly be happy about that.’ It was the third time a Catholic pope had been Time’s selection. John Paul II was selected in 1994 and John XXIII was chosen in 1962.

Other finalists included National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, gay rights activist Edith Windsor, US Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

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