When Pope Francis was elected as the 266th Supreme Pontiff, his appointment was met with a wave of optimism.

Viewers just joining us in America and around the world, we have a new Pope, the smoke that signaled it to us all.

For many, they believed his attitudes and beliefs would usher in a new era of progressivism for the Catholic Church.

And as the Vatican announced his death at the age of 88, tributes began pouring in from around the world.

From CNN, I'm Joe Beck, with a special look at the Life and Legacy. tributes began pouring in from around the world.

From CNN, I'm Joe Beck, with a special look at the life and legacy of the man who was known as the People's Pope.

Pope Francis made history in more ways than one.

He was born Jorge Mario Borgoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936 to Italian immigrants,

making him the first pontiff to ever be born in the southern hemisphere.

He worked as a bouncer, graduated from college as a chemical technician,

and, like many Argentines, discovered what would be a lifelong love of soccer.

Take a listen to how his sister described him in 2013.

He has a great sense of humor. I think he got that from my father.

When he had to be firm for something, he was, but with good humor.

He even had a childhood crush, writing in a memoir that he made a promise to a little girl in his home city.

Amalia Demonte told reporters in 2013 that she was that girl.

He said to me, if I don't marry you, I'll become a priest.

Well, he didn't marry her.

But he did follow through with his plans to join the church and began to rise through the

ranks.

But it was always those humble beginnings that seemed to inspire his career, with his friend

Oscar Crespo saying his number one priority was always to help people. He told me clearly, look, I said I'm going to be a priest because my goal is to be at the service of the people.

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