The newly named pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, has a big supporter in the Louisville area:

From the Record:

The election of Pope Leo XIV May 8 was a surprise, but a joyful one, Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre told local journalists a few hours after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was introduced as the new Holy Father.

“I never thought I would live to see the day that an American would be elected pope,” he said at the press conference held at the Archdiocese of Louisville Pastoral Center. “It’s really a very, very exciting day for the church, a day of great, great joy.”

Archbishop Fabre said he doesn’t know the new pope personally, but gladly pledges his loyalty, prayers and support.

Calling the selection of the church’s first American pontiff historic, Archbishop Fabre said, “Our faith here in this country, which a relatively young country, a relatively young faith, has now produced a gift for all Catholics in the world, Pope Leo XIV.”

Pope Leo XIV, a native of Chicago who served many years in Peru as a member of the Augustinian order, was elected in the afternoon of the conclave’s first full day. 

Archbishop Fabre said the relative quickness of the vote was an “indication of the union and unity amongst the cardinals.”

And there will be a special ceremony in Louisville for the new pope tomorrow:

Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for newly elected Pope Leo XIV at 6 p.m. Monday, May 12, at the Cathedral of the Assumption in downtown Louisville. All are welcome.

Archbishop Fabre was appointed three years ago by Pope Francis to lead Louisville Catholics. Here are some of the archbishop’s thoughts: