Pope Leo XIV has been named among the world’s most influential figures in Time magazine’s 2026 list, the publication announced on April 15, placing the first American pope on its annual roll-call of leaders, innovators and cultural figures shaping public life.
The recognition forms part of the magazine’s long-running Time 100 list, now more than 20 years old, which seeks to identify individuals whose actions and ideas have had a significant impact during the preceding year. The magazine says there is “no single metric” for influence, and that selections are guided by the stories shaping the world each year.
