After adopting the name Pope Francis, the pontiff immediately broke tradition upheld by popes for more than a century by choosing to live more simply and forgoing the luxurious papal accommodations in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace for a simple two-room apartment.
The Bishop of Rome continues to break the mold established by previous papal legacy and has been characterized as a humble man with diplomatic boldness and progressive views compared to his predecessors.
The pope's leadership style seems to resonate with people. In a Pew poll released earlier this year, nine out of ten American Catholics gave the Pope high marks, and 70% of Americans in general said they viewed him favorably.
Francis was named TIME's Person of the Year in 2013 "for pulling the papacy out of the palace and into the streets, for committing the world's largest church to confronting its deepest needs, and for balancing judgment with mercy."
Here we take a look at how Francis's career has shaped his role as an influential world leader: