Americans in St. Peter’s Square were stunned and joyous when they learned that an American cardinal, Robert Provost, was elected pope and had taken the name Leo XIV.

St. Peter’s Square in Rome was packed Thursday in anticipation of the announcement of a new Pope. Sarah Ventre, NPR’s senior producer of religion, was in the square and joined The Show to talk about what it was like there.

As Cardinal Robert Prevost's name was announced, a sound of shock rose up. It was something few people had anticipated — the new pope is from the United States.