The results are revealed in a study conducted by the Global Language Monitor's 14th annual global survey of the English language.

The Texas-based group determines the top terms, words, phrases, and names by analysing "the Internet, blogosphere, the top 275,000 print and electronic global media, as well as new social media sources as they emerge".

The study is limited to the English language, which according to this study, is spoken by 1.83 billion individuals.

Seemingly without even trying, Pope Francis simply can't stay out of the news. New pictures, statements, and stories going viral every week

He's also a mega-celebrity of a different kind of order. While others are famous for lying, twerking, or their supposed good looks, Pope Francis seems to have become the No 1 name for the best of reasons.

The remaining top five proper names of 2013 are:

• ObamaCare
• NSA
• Ed Snowden
• Kate Middleton

Francis and Italy

The Francis effect is being felt particularly strongly in Italy

• the name "Francesco" has jumped to be the most popular baby names
• Rome is reportin a tourism boom, mostly from Latin America, and now
• the Catholic Church attendance is climbing throughout Italy.

Italy's Center for Studies on New Religions reported Sunday (Nov. 10) that around half of the 250 priests it surveyed reported a significant rise in church attendance since Francis became pope in March.

"If we project these findings nationally, and if half of the parishes have been touched by the Francis effect, then we're talking about hundreds of thousands of people returning to the churches," said Massimo Introvigne, the center's director and a professor at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University.

Sources

• uCatholic
• CNS
• Huffington Post
• Aleteia
• Image: The Deacon's Bench

"This is a great opportunity for people here in New Zealand to experience family and faith programming that over 55 million other people enjoy every single day," he said. Cope, who also manages the One Christian Radio 87.6FM station, said Sky Angel had previously only been available in the United States, but 30 channels were now available around the world for the monthly subscription through the internet.

He hoped to secure an internet provider to offer the service for free from October 1. The provider would benefit from the publicity, he said. Cope, who is also Sky Angel's Australia representative, said the service was not only for church-goers.

"The feedback we've had is that it is great to be able to have family friendly programming in New Zealand . . . in the church, and outside the church. There are channels [with Sky Angel] that don't necessarily have Christian content," he said. "We're also negotiating with TV and radio services in New Zealand to offer New Zealand content in the very near future."

A 48-hour free trial of Sky Angel is available at 392.tryskyangel.com.

Source

• Taranaki Daily News
• Image: Techvibes