Elton John praises Pope Francis as he’s named ‘Man of the Year’ by Vanity Fair
Sir Elton John says Pope Francis “is a miracle of humility in an era of vanity”.
Pope Francis has been named “Man of the Year” by the Italian edition of Vanity Fair.
“His first one hundred days have already placed him in the category of world leaders who make history,” the magazine said. “But the revolution continues.”
Despite the Catholic leader’s widespread opposition to LGBT rights, Sir Elton heaped praise on the 76-year-old.
“Francis is a miracle of humility in an era of vanity,” Sir Elton John told the magazine.
The pop icon said he hoped that Pope Francis’s message would reach marginalised groups in society which “have a desperate need of his love”.
“The Pope seems to want to take the Church back to the old values of Christ and, at the same time, bring it into the 21st century,” Sir Elton said, adding that Pope Francis could “reach out to children, women, men who live with HIV and AIDS – often alone, and hidden away in silence.”
Meanwhile, Sir Elton has told The Sun he’s “lucky to be alive” after suffering from appendicitis.
The 66-year-old Rocket Man has been forced to cancel a series of shows, including in London’s Hyde Park.
“I was a ticking time bomb. I guess I could have died at any time,” he said.
