First impressions of the new Pope from the faithful on St Peter's Square have been favourable.
But since his election Pope Francis has been living in a simple two-room suite in the Domus Santa Marta - a hotel-style residence built by Pope John Paul II next to St Peter's Basilica.
To the faithful, St Peter - the disciple and first pope - started the official church in Rome at the conclusion of his journey after Christ's Ascension.
Peter's Square, the pope called for a renewal of faith, and for the prayers of Catholics around the world both for him and his successor.
Peter's Square as the new pope today, Francis wore a simple white robe.
Addressing the crowd in St Peter's Square on Wednesday, Pope Benedict thanked believers for respecting his decision to retire and said he was standing down for the good of the Church.
On Wednesday night, Pope Francis endeared himself to the crowds in St Peter's Square - and underlined his reputation for humility - when he asked them to bless him before blessing them in return from the balcony of the basilica.
Peter's Square on Sunday to hear Pope Francis deliver his inaugural Angelus.
In the Italian capital, Rome, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated with a vespers service in St Peter's Basilica to give thanks for 2012 and look ahead to 2013.
An obvious step toward that would be the appointment of a pope from somewhere other than Italy -- Ghanaian Peter Turkson and Nigerian Francis Arinze are two obvious contenders.
On Saturday evening Pope Francis will celebrate the main Easter Vigil Mass in St Peter's Basilica.
Instead, as Pope Francis, will celebrate Mass on Holy Thursday in St Peter's Basilica, and will wash the feet of prisoners in a youth detention centre in Rome, continuing a pre-Easter practice he began while archbishop of Buenos Aires.
Pope Benedict XVI, speaking at an anniversary mass in St Peter's Square, attended by a tiny group of surviving clerics like himself who actually took part in the work of the Council, deplored what he called a "desertification" of spiritual life during the years that have elapsed since the end of the Council in 1965.
It said that Pope Francis would also celebrate Mass earlier on Holy Thursday in St Peter's Basilica.
BBC: Pope Francis to wash feet of prisoners in pre-Easter Mass
The ceremony in Rome was the second huge gathering in a week in St Peter's Square which was also the scene of the Pope's 25th anniversary celebrations.
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Traditions continually renewed themselves: just as crowds of worshippers once assembled in Ephesus, so today they wait in front of St Peter's in Rome to receive the blessing of the pope.
Peter's Square was higher Wednesday than in many of the pope's public audiences in recent years.
As the pope makes his way through the cathedral, lit solely by candlelight, St Peter's no longer feels like a crowded tourist attraction.
Peter's Square on Wednesday in a makeshift popemobile as he campaigns for Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana to become the church's first black pope.
Peter's Square to formally announce the election of a new pope and his name, the little stove's time in the spotlight should be over and the focus will then move to the pope elect.
Peter's, the spot where the world will meet the new pope once he is elected.
Peter's Square in the Vatican to cheer the election of the new pope, millions joined in Wednesday on Twitter and Facebook.
Ali Agca, the Turkish gunman who tried to assassinate Pope John Paul ll in 1981 was tried and sentenced by an Italian court after his capture in Saint Peter's Square, over which jurisdiction is shared between the Italy and the Vatican.
Later on his first full day in the new job, Pope Francis was due to celebrate Mass with cardinals, reading portions of the books of Isaiah, Matthew and Peter.
For his part, Pope Francis will begin the Church's most important liturgical season on Sunday with a Palm Sunday Mass in St Peter's Square.
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