Pope Francis is Time’s Person of the Year

The magazine's managing editor Nancy Gibbs said the Pope had changed the tone, the perception and focus of one of the world’s largest institutions in an extraordinary way.

Pope Francis waves as he arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Wednesday. Pope Francis has been selected by Time magazine as the Person of the Year.

Pope Francis has been selected by Time magazine as the Person of the Year.

In only his first year, the pope was selected by the magazine’s editor as the person who had the greatest impact on the world, for good or bad, during 2013.

Time managing editor Nancy Gibbs said Pope Francis had changed the tone, the perception and focus of one of the world’s largest institutions in an extraordinary way.

Leaker Edward Snowden finished second as

Time announced its choice on the “Today” show on Wednesday.