This is a man who does not seek to portray himself as other than a servant of God. His official title may be Bishop of Rome and Vicar of Jesus Christ but he does not present himself behind a veneer of holiness. In that way resembling in some manner the populist and beloved Pope John-Paul, far less his successor the Emeritus Pope Benedict.
He appears to be busily involved with, without being unduly concerned about upsetting tradition and church convention, moving his Church closer to what the values famously attributed to a young Jewish figure of ancient times himself valued and demonstrated in his daily life. A life celebrated for thousands of years, which his worshippers have always been exhorted to emulate, but few manage.
This pope's robust humanity stands as a testament to those values.
This is a man quite like most others who has no doubt battled thoughts and impulses and emotional yearnings that mystify and perhaps even dismay him as he struggles against the same base instincts that afflict all of humanity's creatures. He chooses, it seems, not to hide behind artifice, and the protection of his office from public scrutiny.
It appears, from all the evidence presented at this early date in his investiture that he intends to serve the ordinary folk, not only within his religion but globally. To further interaction and understanding and patience within his own faith, and between other religions of the world. His outreach began the moment he took on the mantle of pope - without actually adorning himself with the traditional pomp and ceremony of the ermine-rimmed red velvet mozzetta - preferring his simple white cassock.
Only good, we hope and pray - even those not vested in belief of a divine - can come of this impending transformation.
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