LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Archbishop Shelton Fabre mourned the loss of Pope Francis on Monday morning, calling him a "shepherd of the Catholic Church for 12 years (who) ... led from the heart and showed compassion for others."

Social media was flooded with tributes following the early morning announcement from the Vatican of Francis' death, and many of the comments from local leaders can be found below. 

Rev. Joe Graffis presided over noon mass Monday at the Cathedral of the Assumption in downtown Louisville. A picture of Francis was placed in the aisle before mass hours after his death. 

Graffis said he prays the successor will continue to follow Francis' teachings.

"He wrote a book called /The Name of God is Mercy,' and that was kind of his theme," Graffis said Monday. "God is merciful. We need to be merciful. Secondly, he kept talking about how we need to accompany people and walk with people, especially the poor and vulnerable ... And thirdly, he had a sense of community, that we are all God's children."

Francis has said he wants to be buried not in St. Peter's Basilica or its grottoes, where most popes are buried, but in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major — also known as the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore — on the other side of Rome. Seven other popes are already buried there as well as St. Matthew, an apostle of Jesus.

With the burial, the Catholic Church begins nine days of official mourning, known as the "novemdiales," and the conclave begins.

The Archdiocese of Louisville will hold a special "Mass for Thanksgiving for the Life of Pope Francis" at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Cathedral of the Assumption downtown. All are invited to attend.

Here are statements released in the hours after the passing of Pope Francis. 

Louisville Archbishop Shelton Fabre on X

On Easter Monday, our Holy Father Pope Francis returned to the house of the Father.

Please join me in praying for the repose of his soul: Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Facebook:

Pope Francis earned the title "The People's Pope" by showing kindness and mercy, standing for love above hate and extending a hand to help all people. He led by example, and his humility and dedication to God brought people together. His loss is great, but his impact is greater.

Kentucky U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell on X:

Elaine and I join people of faith around the world in mourning the passing of his holiness, Pope Francis. From the beginning of his papacy, the Holy Father invited Christians from every walk of life to more fully embrace the call to care for the vulnerable, including the unborn and the poorest among us. He reminded us by word and deed that we are all called to lives of faithful service. Now, as the shepherd of more than a billion Roman Catholics reaps his eternal reward, we give thanks for a life of witness to the truth: Our hearts are restless until they rest in God.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg on Facebook:

We are saddened to learn about the death of Pope Francis. He lived an incredible life full of humility and compassion and will always be remembered as a champion for people experiencing poverty across the world. May his memory be a blessing.

Father Jim Sichko on X

He has returned to the House of Our Father ….

Kentucky U.S. Congressman Morgan McGarvey

"In life and service, we are judged by how we treat those on the margins — Pope Francis led with that belief."

More Coverage: 

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From Buenos Aires to Rome: Key dates in the life of Pope Francis

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