Every year Forbes magazine compiles a list of the world’s most powerful people. The rankings are based on financial resources, individual controls, and amount of influence on world events. Topping the list this year is Hu Jintao, president of the People’s Republic of China. Followed by President Obama, the King of Saudi Arabia, and Vladimir Putin in respective order.

Pope Benedict XVI landed in fifth place, based largely on his influence of the world’s 1.1 billion Catholics. He moved up the list from number eleven in last years ranking.

Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, came in sixth, making her the most powerful woman in the world.

Following UK prime minister, David Cameron at number seven, is an interesting selection of Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the US federal reserve, which controls printing money in the United States.

After the Pope, the next religious leader to make the list is the Dalai Lama at number thirty-nine.

Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd after he presided over a Mass at Westminster Cathedral in central London, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010. Pope Benedict XVI said Saturday he was ashamed of the “unspeakable” sexual abuse of children by priests, telling the British faithful during Mass in Westminster Cathedral that he was deeply sorry and hoped the church’s humiliation would help victims heal. Benedict also said he hoped the church would be able to use its contrition to purify itself from the “sins” of its ministers and be able to renew its commitment to educating the young.

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