Explained: 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.

Rome bureau chief

The AP's senior editor overseeing news coverage from Rome, a role Simpson held starting in 2005.

General Desk

An AP editorial desk handling top domestic news stories, where Simpson worked starting in 1968.

Foreign Desk

An AP editorial desk handling international news, which Simpson joined in 1970.

Conclave

The Vatican meeting of cardinals to elect a new pope; Simpson covered the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis.

Solidarity strikes

Labor strikes in Poland challenging the communist government, which John Paul II publicly supported in a 1988 interview with Simpson.