Fortune Magazine names Pope "World's Greatest Leader"

March 21, 2014 - The renowned global business magazine Fortune honoured Pope Francis on Thursday, naming him the world's greatest leader. The Argentine Pope headed the list of top 50 of the world's greatest leaders, chosen by the magazine in a world, which it said is "starved for leadership". The magazine said the list consists of "men and women who will inspire you - some famous, others little known, all of them energizing their followers and making the world better." "In the brief time since [his election], Francis has electrified the Church and attracted legions of non-Catholic admirers by energetically setting a new direction," the magazine said. It particularly mentioned his refusal to occupy the papal palace, the washing of the feet of a female Muslim prisoner, his choice of being driven around Rome in a humble Ford, and his famous question, "Who am I to judge?" with regard to gays. “He created a group of eight cardinals to advise him on reform, which a Church historian calls the 'most important step in the history of the Church for the past 10 centuries.'" The magazine noted that Francis "recently asked the world to stop the rock-star treatment" but added: "He knows that while revolutionary, his actions so far have mostly reflected a new tone and intentions. His hardest work lies ahead." It said that "signs of a 'Francis effect' abound." In a poll in March, one in four Catholics said they'd increased their charitable giving to the poor this year. "Of those, 77% said it was due in part to the Pope," Fortune said. Time magazine had named Pope Francis the 2013 Person of the Year 2013.