Pope Francis is Time magazine Person of the Year for 2013 and was chosen Wednesday, December 11, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Francis beat NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden for the distinction, which Time has been doing since 1927.

"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, Time magazine's managing editor, told the Associated Press.

Formerly known as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, he was elected to the papacy in March and became the Catholic Church's first Latin pope. Since he took over the position, he continuously urged members and clergies of the Catholic faith not to obsess with what he calls "small-minded" rules. Francis emphasized the need for compassion over condemnation, especially on issues such as abortion, gays, and contraception. Before Francis, his predecessors and the Vatican were stern about these issues.

The Vatican was not at all surprised about Francis' selection to become the magazine's cover. Francis's popularity has captured the hearts and minds of people from all spectrums worldwide. The Vatican, however, said that the choice was a "positive" recognition of spiritual values in the international media.

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

Francis is not the only Pope to land the cover of Time magazine. The others were John Paul II who was selected in 1994, and John XXIII who was selected in 1962.

The other nominees for the Time cover include Snowden, gay rights activist Edith Windsor, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Syrain President Bashar Assad, the report said.