Pope Francis Named 'Man of the Year' by Vanity Fair Italia

The Italian version of Vanity Fair magazine declared Pope Francis "Man of the Year" in its latest issue, which was published on Tuesday. The magazine's cover reads "Francis, Pope Courage," reffering to the unconventional gestures and the clear words of the Argentine pope. According to the magazine, the pope has reached the top list of international personalities that have made history after only 100 days as pontiff. 

"His first hundred days (as Pope) have already placed him at the head of the list of world leaders who make history. But the revolution continues," the magazine wrote. The cover also quotes the warning that Pope Francis issued on Monday while visiting the Italian island of Lampedusa, the destination of thousands immigrants from Africa hoping for a better life in Europe. During his first trip outside of Rome, Pope Francis condemned the "globalization of indifference," referring to the migrants that die in the sea while trying to make it to the European coast. "Who has wept for the death of these brothers and sisters? Let us pray for the grace to mourn our indifference," he said.

According to Vanity Fair, the pope used the trip to demonstrate just what he meant when he asked Catholics to be "shepherds with the smell of the sheep."

The magazine also compiled several celebrities' opinions on the pope. "In the age of vanity, he is a miracle of humility," British singer Elton John said. "This Pope seems to bring the Church to old values of Christ and, at the same time, apply them in the 21th Century," he added. For the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, the pope is "a true gift from God to his Church."

It is no secret that Pope Francis takes care of details surrounding his public image. Vanity Fair reported that the pontiff became upset after getting word that a statue in his image was being erected in Buenos Aires' Metropolitian Cathedral. He later requested the statue be removed.

The statue was made by talented sculptor Fernando Pugliese, designer to the "Holy Land" theme park of Buenos Aires. He worked less than 10 days at the Cathedral, where Jorge Bergoglio once served as Bishop of Buenos Aires and Cardinal Primate of Argentina until his election as Pope Benedict's successor.

"Remove that [statue] immediately," Pope Francis allegedly told a priest, Argentine newspaper Clarín reported. The statue was later removed from the cathedral's garden.