RNS–Forbes Names Pope World’s Fifth Most Powerful Figure

Pope Benedict XVI won the No. 5 spot in a list of the world’s most powerful people, one of only two religious leaders in Forbes magazine’s list of 68 influential men and women.

Benedict was sandwiched between Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The only other religious leader on the list was the Dalai Lama, who ranked at No. 39.

Forbes, which released the list Wednesday (Nov. 3), scored the rankings by the person’s influence over people, which for religious leaders meant counting the followers in their flocks.

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Posted in * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, * Religion News & Commentary, Globalization, Other Churches, Politics in General, Pope Benedict XVI, Roman Catholic