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.