Longtime AP bureau chief Victor Simpson, who covered 5 popes, dies at 84

Victor L. Simpson died of cancer on a Sunday at his home in Rome, at age 84.

He had a 46-year career with the AP, serving as Rome bureau chief starting in 2005.

His reporting career spanned the papacies of five popes, including 92 trips with John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

His 11-year-old daughter Natasha was killed in a 1985 Palestinian militant attack at Rome's airport; his son Michael was wounded.

1964: Simpson's father, Leonard P. Simpson, was shot and killed during a robbery in their apartment building. · 1967: Simpson joined the AP in Newark, New Jersey, writing an award-winning series on organized crime. · 1972: Simpson was assigned to Rome as news editor and met his future wife, Daniela Petroff. · Dec. 27, 1985: His daughter Natasha was killed and son Michael wounded in a Palestinian militant attack at Rome's airport. · 1988: Simpson asked Pope John Paul II about the Solidarity strikes during a flight to Uruguay, producing a major exclusive. · 2013: Simpson planned to retire the same day Pope Benedict XVI's resignation took effect, then stayed to cover the conclave electing Pope Francis.

84 age at death · 46 years · 5 popes · 92 papal trips · 81 deaths

Simpson 'always wondered' if he had given Pope Benedict XVI the idea to resign, a question the article says was never resolved.