Dear Archbishop Kurtz,

On behalf of your brothers and sisters in The United Methodist Church of Kentucky, let me offer our prayers and blessings for you and your people as you rejoice in the selection of Pope Francis as the spiritual leader of the Church. May God bless him in these days to come as he lives out a strong witness for Christ in our world.

Your friend in Christ,
Bishop Lindsey Davis

Know of my prayers of thanksgiving on the election of Pope Francis! I have just returned from a retreat with the bishops of The Episcopal Church. For several days, and especially Tuesday, we prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide the cardinal electors.

Bishop Terry A. White
Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky

Dear Bishop Kurtz:

There are some moments in which the entire world seems to share. We have experienced such a moment in the election of Pope Francis. As the white smoke billowed above the Sistine Chapel, a spirit of celebration spread from Rome to Buenos Aires and all points in between and around the globe. On behalf of the Kentucky Council of Churches, allow me to express the good wishes of the Body of Christ to our brothers and sisters of the Roman Catholic tradition on the opening of a new chapter in the Church’s long story. … more

Michael L. Ward
President, Executive Board
Kentucky Council of Churches