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.
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.
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.
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.
On Saturday evening Pope Francis will celebrate the main Easter Vigil Mass in St Peter's Basilica.
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.
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.
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
As the pope makes his way through the cathedral, lit solely by candlelight, St Peter's no longer feels like a crowded tourist attraction.
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.
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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