Forbes Names Pope World's 5th Most Powerful Figure

By Whitney Jones
Religion News Service

(RNS) 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.

The pope was named the "highest earthly authority for 1.1 billion souls," which represents one-sixth of the world's population. He was noted for "healing old wounds" in September when he became the first modern pope to visit London's Westminster Abbey, where he shook the hand of a clergywoman.

The Dalai Lama was praised in the list for "keeping China honest" and providing spiritual leadership for millions of Buddhists and his political leadership for 150,000 Tibetans in exile.

The pope jumped ahead six spots in this year's rankings, while the Dalai Lama stayed put.

This list is the magazine's second ranking of the world's most powerful people. The top 10 most powerful people are:

1. Chinese President Hu Jintao
2. U.S. President Barack Obama
3. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
4. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
5. Pope Benedict XVI
6. German Chancellor Angela Merkel
7. British Prime Minister David Cameron
8. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke
9. Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi
10. Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Comments

[Sava Blogs]

11:27 AM on 11/11/2010

Really, Obama is second? Thats a big surprise. I would havw thought that he was 1st.

Chek out Forbes top ten highest female earners

http://www.savablogs.info/2010/11/forbes-2010-top-10-female-earners-oprah.html

[colleen2]

03:14 PM on 11/07/2010

"He was noted for "healing old wounds" in September when he became the first modern pope to visit London's Westminster Abbey, where he shook the hand of a clergywoman."

How lovely that he was able to lower himself enough to actually touch her. What a lesson in humility

[ChaCubed]

10:39 AM on 11/07/2010

"the highest earthly authority for 1.1 billion souls" .. this is from Forbes Magazine, really?

Hard to believe.

"Souls" ... really?

[bweve05]

07:39 PM on 12/02/2010

According to Catholic tradition, he is their vicar...

[Nutcase]

09:38 AM on 11/07/2010

Putting Hu Jintao as #1 likely reflects a misunderstanding of the way the Chinese government works. He does have power but power is shared somewhat collegially there. His power that accompanies his position is not as straightforward as in the US.

[DeuxExMachina]

08:32 PM on 11/07/2010

The Chinese Communist Party introduced that after Mao had died so that there would no longer be a concentration of power in one person. They did that to prevent re-occurences of movements such as the Great Leap Forward or the Cultural Revolution that did so much harm to China and her development.

[Hysterian68]

01:35 AM on 11/07/2010

While the US Catholic Conference of Bishops works hand in glove with the Republiconvicts to return us to the stone age of hatred, authoritarianism, and revenge against gays and lesbians. Furthermore, they're ready to deny basic civil liberties in a host of other areas as well.

Benedict XVI is trying to return Europe and ultimately Africa and Asia to papal authority and control. Where he can take us back to the enlightened days of the 16th century, the Inquisition, and the protection of prelate predator protectors from the long arm of the law through conspiracy, secrecy, and obstruction of justice.

[DeuxExMachina]

09:56 AM on 11/07/2010

If you have proof of these conspiracies please feel free to provide it to the FBI and CIA. After all your ramblings speak of a world-wide conspiracy that, if real, has to be stopped at all costs.

[Veritas is Pro Life]

06:35 PM on 11/07/2010

You go, DeuxEx!

[Hysterian68]

07:42 PM on 11/07/2010

They have the evidence. It's a matter of acting on it. The hierarchy bought off DAs and the police from the outset. When the lid is eventually blown on these purple pariahs, they'll sink like a leaking boat. Exposed for the pious charlatans that they are.

[Skoobs]

09:37 PM on 11/06/2010

Hm, take a long look at that list of the ten most powerful people in the world. Then ask yourself: who makes/accepts the wors, the poverty, the starvation, the inequality, and the abuse in the world? Go back to that list again to see the ten most powerful, most powerful....most...powerful...

[DeuxExMachina]

10:59 PM on 11/06/2010

Don't be lazy. If you are so knowledgeable, enlighten us with some correct facts and figures.

[mommadona]

07:53 PM on 11/06/2010

"It takes a well-dressed man ...oh, wait....." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ0bqZw6B0A

[jwb2013]

11:22 AM on 11/06/2010

The greatest trick the devil ever did was to convince us that the Dope, er, Pope was the 5th most powerful man alive. What a sad joke that this man is even anything to anybody. Sicko!

[DeuxExMachina]

08:10 PM on 11/06/2010

You have things upside down. While the devil seems to be winning many of the current battles for people's souls, Pope Benedict XVI is actually batting for the other side. For Catholics the Pope is Christ's shepherd on earth and not a leader in terms of economic or military power. Even at the start of Jesus' ministry in around 30 AD many of the Jewish people expecting the Messiah got that wrong.

[jwb2013]

09:23 PM on 11/06/2010

I have nothing upside down. I am not the one who believes in fairy tales written 1,500 years ago by misogynists who sacrificed cattle, and did not know atoms or germs existed. There is no devil, god, hell, sin, heaven, or judgment. It is your invention not mine. Gimme a break! LOL

[Hysterian68]

01:36 AM on 11/07/2010

Christians got it wrong too believing the same thing well into the 11th century.

[PeteLeS]

08:11 AM on 11/06/2010

But isn't that the purpose of religion? Power and Control.

[TYRANNASAURUS]

02:03 PM on 11/06/2010

Of course it's about power and control........but don't tell the stupid people........after all they've traded reality for a pie in the sky heaven that has never existed.

[DeuxExMachina]

08:49 PM on 11/06/2010

You are entitled to your belief in a sole earthly existence and, as your monicker suggests, when your time is up you'll be joining the other fossils.
At least you can say that Catholics have a higher ideal. You are mistaken about the Pope and the Vatican. They are about leadership but not earthly power and control. As someone quoted Stalin earlier in this blog, "How many divisions does the Pope have?". The answer is none but the Catholic Church outlives both the Third Reich and the Soviet Union. More importantly, the Catholic faith, the Christian Orthodox, Coptic Churches are still true to its origins after two thousand years.

[PeteLeS]

01:35 AM on 11/07/2010

OH OK. SSSHHHHHHHHH! ;)

[Masonx]

11:05 PM on 11/05/2010

The Pope is 5th after which of Steve Forbes three friends? No wonder this country is on it's A$$ with business magazine content like this.

[ChristinaMaria]

06:01 PM on 11/05/2010

As a hardcore democrat, I'm surprised at the amount of religious intolerance on this post. Every single religion has its bad apples and questionable policies. I like that Obama, the Dalai, and yes, event he Pope is on there.. it shows diversity.. and we need more of it.

"If the love within your mind is lost and you see other beings as enemies, then no matter how much knowledge or education or material comfort you have, only suffering and confusion will ensue." -- Dalai Lama

[cdub1991]

12:30 AM on 11/06/2010

"...the worst are full of passionate intensity."

[jwb2013]

11:26 AM on 11/06/2010

It isn't WHO he is...it is what he DOES that is reprehensible. Funny you support religion, yet you quote from the head representative of an Atheist...Buddha. (;oD

[breakingpoint]

05:39 PM on 11/05/2010

how much gold does the Vatican have

Catholics should ask

[TYRANNASAURUS]

02:07 PM on 11/06/2010

The Vatican has the largest treasure in the world when art, property, cash and everything else are added into the equation.

[DeuxExMachina]

09:17 PM on 11/06/2010

Over 2000 years many buildings and art works were donated by dedicated Catholics for the glory of God. Today wealthy people build their legacies to have themselves remembered, i.e. dedicated libraries, museums wings, university wings, town names, etc. Note the big change in emphasis from the divine to the self.

[AbstractImp]

05:35 PM on 11/05/2010

Mei-you Sheng-Ti, Fraud.

[AbstractImp]

05:34 PM on 11/05/2010

Too Big To Pay.

[Peric Overde]

04:10 PM on 11/05/2010

That picture reminds me so much of the classic Jack Nicholson shot in The Shinning...for some reason I don't think it is a coincidence.

[HamletsMill]

05:55 PM on 11/05/2010

My exact thought too! "Heeeeerrrrreeees...Benedict!" The guy is a squirrelly as they come. These costumes are sick.