Pope Francis is PETA-UK's Person of the Year

LONDON , Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Pope Francis was named PETA's 2015 Person of the Year on Tuesday by the British branch of the animal rights organization.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' annual award went to the pope, who took his formal name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, for "asking all citizens of the world to reject domination over God's creation [and] treat animals with kindness," a PETA-UK statement said.

In "Laudato Si'," a 2015 encyclical, the Pope wrote "We have only one heart, and the same wretchedness which leads us to mistreat an animal will not be long in showing itself in our relationships with other people. Every act of cruelty towards any creature is 'contrary to human dignity.'"

Ingrid Newkirk, PETA-UK managing director, said the Pope has "spread the message of kindness to all, regardless of their religion or species."

"With more than a billion Catholics worldwide, Pope Francis' animal-friendly teachings have a massive audience."