Just moments ago, the world watched as white smoke billowed, heralding a new leader for over a billion souls. But behind the ancient traditions and solemn pronouncements, who is Pope Leo XIV? A longtime confidant, someone who shared meals and missions with him long before the papal balcony, has pulled back the curtain, and what he reveals is truly touching.

"He's not about the fancy stuff," Rev. Art Purcaro, a close friend of the newly elected Pontiff, shared with a heartfelt smile. Imagine this: years ago, long before anyone whispered his name as a potential Pope, the man now known as Leo XIV was simply 'Bob.' He and Purcaro weren't in grand cathedrals; they were on the ground, in northern Peru, working hand-in-hand with struggling farmers, people living day-to-day. That's the man who now leads the Church.

"Leo XIV will want us to roll up our sleeves for this planet and for every single person struggling," Purcaro explained, his voice filled with conviction. "It's about taking care of what we've been given, and sharing it – truly sharing it." This isn't just papal policy for him; it's personal, born from decades of service far from the Vatican's walls.

And was this a position he craved? Absolutely not, according to Purcaro. Before entering the conclave, the then-Cardinal Prevost admitted to his friend that he'd heard the rumors but insisted he "wasn't looking for anything." His simple, profound words? He would accept "whatever God wants."

"Deeply spiritual, solid in his faith, and zero ambition – that's him," Purcaro emphasized. "He's a quiet, reserved man."

So, don't expect Pope Leo XIV to suddenly embrace the "pomp and grandeur" that can sometimes overshadow the papacy. His friend firmly believes he'll continue to live simply, just as Pope Francis did. "When you see him in all the robes, you might think 'hierarchy, distance, privilege.' But that's not the Bob I know," Purcaro said, his tone almost protective. "It would be totally natural for Pope Leo, just like it was for Bob Prevost, to live humbly, simply, genuinely. That's just who he is, to his core."

The world now looks to Pope Leo XIV, a man whose journey from the dusty missions of Peru to the heart of the Vatican is a powerful reminder that true leadership often comes from the humblest of hearts, with a promise to champion the Earth and its most vulnerable people.