Pope Francis waves from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica following his election March 13, 2013. March 13, 2021, marked the eighth anniversary of the Argentine cardinal's election as pope. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) Eight years ago today, Pope Francis emerged on the balcony of St. Peter’s Square for the first time, clad not in the red ermine cape and new red loafers prepared for the next pope, but in a simple white cassock and his old black orthopedic shoes. His simple apparel set the tone for what would become a whirlwind papacy including 52 papal trips, six major documents, three synods and thousands of speeches and homilies aimed at shifting the church toward simplicity, collegiality and care for the poor and outcast.