OK the pope isn't one of the most influential people. He is for chatholic people, but not for Christian's. He doesn't do anyting. he is a Figure head that everyone looks to blindly. Bill Gates is influential, but i dont know how he made anyone's top 5 list. Bill Gate's Microsoft has changed our view of the computer world and will be remember, but not for what he did, but for how much money he has. He is an influential as the Wright brothers but they didn't make anyone's list... bill gates is a flash in the pan and just because he is now he made anyone's list.
I agree with Religous founders. Maybe people like Einstein. Napolean... though he isn't that great... maybe someone else that has to do with the French revolution. That really changed the world. Or you could pick 5 people from your life (mother, father, siblings, ect.) and talk how influence is really only felt in personal sphears and that the big icons really have very little effect on us indivually.