Obama on the cover of Time magazine
Obama on the cover of Time magazineReuters

Time magazine, which reserves an annual spot on the cover of its publication for its "Person of the Year," has named President Barack Obama to the slot, an award bestowed upon the Commander in Chief for the second time during his presidency, the first coming after his election in 2008. 

The magazine called Obama the "Architect of a New America," reffering to him as a cultural figure for his policies which embrace diversity, advance gay rights and aim to help undocumented immigrants.

The publication said the United States is in the midst of huge cultural and demographic changes and Obama is both the symbol and in some ways a driving force behind the transformation.

Obama beat out seven other nominees, including Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and Pakistani activist for women’s education Malala Yousafzai.

Time said that Obama is worthy of the title for “finding and forging a new majority, for turning weakness into opportunity and for seeking, amid great adversity, to create a more perfect union.”