Pope Francis named gay magazine's 'Person of the Year', Clocks 77 years today

Happy birthday to Pope Francis, who has once again been named 'Person of the Year', this time by America's oldest gay news magazine 'The Advocate'.

The magazine says he fits the bill as the "single most influential person of 2013 on the lives of LGBT people."

The magazine goes on to say: "As pope, he has not yet said the Catholic Church supports civil unions. But what Francis does say about LGBT people has already caused reflection and consternation within his church."

This year the Pope raised eyebrows when he responded to a reporter's question on gay priests, He said "If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?"

Also in September he said it wasn't the church's role to "interfere spiritually" in the lives of gays and lesbians.

Pope Francis turned 77 years today 17th december 2013.