Gina Rodriguez and Lin-Manuel Miranda joined Pope Francis on TIME Magazine's 2016 "100 Most Influential People" list.

Rita Moreno Sings Rodriguez's Praises

In an essay heralding her written by legendary actress Rita Moreno, the 31-year-old Rodriguez, who stars in the series "Jane The Virgin" was described as "down to earth" and hard working.

"Whenever she talks about herself or about being Hispanic, she's sending the message 'I deserve this, I work very hard, and I'm a good person,' Moreno added. "I can say that about myself now, but I'm 84! That she can do that with such confidence and élan at her age imparts an enormous amount of inspiration to young people."

Miranda's 'Hamilton' Described as one of All-Time Best

The last several weeks have been quite the ride for the 36-year-old Miranda, who recently walked away with a Pulitzer Prize in Drama for his work on the Broadway hit "Hamilton."

"Lin-Manuel Miranda conceived, wrote and stars in this breakthrough masterpiece," famed director J.J. Abrams wrote of his "Hamilton" performance, which he further described as "one of the best" productions you'll ever lay eyes on.

He later adds the work has cemented Miranda's place as "one of the most miraculous creative minds of our time."

In all, over 10 Latino and Latin American figures were named to the list, including Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and Argentinian President Maurico Macri.

"Each year our TIME 100 list lets us step back and measure the forces that move us," TIME managing editor Nancy Gibbs said of how the magazine comes to decide the honorees and how they fall into the five categories of Pioneers, Titans, Artists, Leaders, and Icons.

"One way or another they each embody a breakthrough," she added. "They broke the rules, broke the record, broke the silence, broke the boundaries to reveal what we're capable of."

Rodriguez also recently drew praise for launching her We Will Foundation, which is aimed at encouraging and empowering youth through education and scholarship opportunities.

The foundation has already made $10,000 donations to such diverse causes as the Westside Family Health Clinic and the Mar Vista School Enrichment Group.

"If art is to imitate real life why not release art that is positive, empowering, uplifting and inclusive no matter race, gender, body type or economic background?" Rodriguez said in a statement soon after the organization's launch.

Related