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Pope Francis Beats Miley Cyrus, Edward Snowden For Time’s Person of the Year

Pope Francis on the cover of Time Magazine as Person of the Year
Pope Francis covers Time Magazine as 2013's Person of the Year.

Apparently “just being Miley” doesn’t cut it when it comes to Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. On Dec. 11, the magazine selected its buzzed-about winner for 2013, giving the honor to Pope Francisover pop sensation Miley Cyrus

Related: PHOTOS: 2013's breakout stars

Cyrus, 21, had made it on the list thanks to her over-the-top antics, particularly her memorable twerk-tastic performance at the 2013 VMAs in August 2013. 

At one point, the “Wrecking Ball” singer was leading the online poll, but the racy star lost that public race — in addition to the actual cover. 

Related: PHOTOS: Miley's wild life

Time contributor Howard Chua-Eoan explained the magazine’s decision to give the new pope the coveted honor. 

“The fact that he’s given so many people so much hope and inspiration in the last nine months, no one else has done that this year,” Chua-Eoan said of Pope Francis. 

miley and robin
Miley Cyrus made it on the list of contenders for Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, thanks to her antics at the 2013 VMA awards where she twerked on Robin Thicke.

Controversial hacker Edward Snowden came in as the runner up to Pope Francis.

Related: PHOTOS: Best celeb Instagrams of the year

The writer also noted Pope Francis has produced a more open image of the Catholic church, saying he wasn’t one to judge homosexuality, and he has compassion toward women who’ve had abortions.  

“He was just being more open so these people are willing to come back to the church without having to deal with the actual rules,” Chua-Eoan continued. “To see him be able to juggle all this in the next year will be fascinating.” 

Tell Us: Do you think Pope Francis deserved this win?

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