On March 13, 2013, Francis succeeded Pope Benedict XVI, who was the first pope to retire in six centuries. Francis became the 266th occupant of the papacy, which dates back to St. Peter, the disciple of Jesus Christ, who is considered the first pope.

He made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday — a day before his death — to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square, drawing wild cheers and applause.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humility and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives over climate change and critiques of capitalism, died Monday. He was 88.