Pope Francis, 76, was awarded the iconic title after the magazine revealed a short list of nominees on Wednesday. The finalists included Edward Snowden, Bashar al-Assad and Sen. Ted Cruz.

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

The magazine said Francis, 76, won the iconic title because he had changed the public perception of the 2,000-year-old institution drastically in such a short period of time.

"He really stood out to us as someone who has changed the tone and the perception and the focus of one of the world's largest institutions in an extraordinary way," Nancy Gibbs, the magazine's managing editor, said.

Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said "The Holy Father is not looking to become famous or to receive honors." "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."