Pope finds admirers among diverse faith backgrounds

6:11 PM,
Jan. 3, 2014

In this picture provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis delivers his 'Urbi et Orbi' (to the City and to the World) message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013.  Pope Francis on Christmas day is wishing for a better world, with peace for the land of Jesus' birth, for Syria and Africa as well as for the dignity of migrants and refugees fleeing misery and conflict.  Francis spoke from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica Wednesday to tens of thousands of tourists, pilgrims and Romans in the square below.  He said he was joining in the song of Christmas angels with all those hoping 'for a better world,' and with those who 'care for others, humbly.' ( AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho)

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When his papacy began March 13, Pope Francis was notable because of circumstance - the resignation of his predecessor.  But in the past 10 months the new pontiff has quickly made a name for himself. 

He reportedly drew more than 6.6 million people to his audiences at Vatican City in less than 10 months, compared to only 2.3 million people in all of 2012.  Time magazine named him its coveted "Person of the Year."  And Esquire even named him the "Best Dressed Man of 2013." 

Those are just the recent newsmakers.  In addition to being the first Latin American to become pope, he also made headlines with ...