America's oldest gay rights magazine is celebrating Pope Francis' 77th birthday by naming him their "Person of the Year."
His holiness spent his birthday inviting the homeless to join him for breakfast in the Vatican, after a customary morning Mass.
Although the Pope still opposes gay marriage, the Advocate gave him this honor because of his more liberal rhetoric on homosexuality than his predecessors.
Visitors to the Vatican had mixed views on the publication.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SWISS TOURIST ANGELA PINA GANZONI SAYING:
"It's a sign for to be who you are and I think it's important to not worry about what other people say but just be truthful to yourself and live your truth and if you do it then a lot of other people will have the courage by themselves so I think it's great if someone who is popular or loved by a lot of people, if this person accepts his own truth, then other people maybe will follow him."
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) FRANCESCO BRUDAGLIO
