Pope Francis (Catholic Church)

While Pope Francis is not a president or prime minister, it is impossible to deny his role as a global leader. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, he is the first pope to come from the Americas. Beginning his papacy in 2013, his ideas on mercy have echoed throughout his role thus far. The Pope has been tasked with a key role in reforming the Vatican, encouraging both men and women to take active roles in religion, and even the papacy, and discouraging extremism in an attempt to protect both his religious values and the lives of Christian minorities.