DHAKA: Happy birthday to Pope Francis, who has once again been named ‘Person of the Year’, this time by a leading lifestyle magazine that actively promotes gay rights.

The religious leader is the December coverstar of The Advocate magazine, on which he appears with a photoshopped tattoo on his cheek, spelling out the message ‘NO H8’, reports The Times of India.

On the right of his portrait shot is the quote that earned him the title, which he delivered during an interview with reporters in July on his way from Brazil to Rome.

He said, ‘If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?’

However, the pontiff’s history of supporting gay rights hasn’t always been so revolutionary.

For example, he stridently opposes same-sex marriage and fought against laws being passed to allow it when he was the archbishop of Buenos Aires.

‘Let’s not be naive: This is not a simple political struggle, but an attempt to destroy God’s plan,’ he said in Argentina of same-sex marriage in 2010.

‘It is not just a bill but a move of the Father of Lies, who seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God.’

BDST: 2003 HRS, DEC 17, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor