Churches and residents in Westchester County are reacting to the announcement of a new pope.

"It's such a wonderful day," says Msgr. Joseph Giandurco, pastor at St. Patrick's Church in Yorktown Heights.

Another pastor told News 12 he's met Pope Leo XIV before.

"I had a chance to meet him on two occasions and just found him to be such a warm, welcoming, just kind, kind man," says Msgr. Luke Sweeney, pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scarsdale.

Celebrations took place across Westchester in Catholic school classrooms and prayer services.

Many were shocked to hear that the new pope is from the United States.

"I was very surprised, and I was surprised that they picked one so quickly. I thought it was going to be a while," says Tricia Inzirillo, a Brewster resident.

"Very excited. It's great news to have an American pope," says Jaqueline Sheppard, a Larchmont resident.

Students at Catholic schools in Scarsdale and Yorktown Heights watched the announcement live in the classroom.

Students at St. Patrick's School even drew pictures of the new pope to celebrate.

"They're talking about the fact that he's from Chicago. They're actually saying things like 'I wonder if he likes the pizza in Chicago better than Rome,'" says Giandurco.

Some attended a prayer service for the new pope at Saints John & Paul Church in Larchmont.

People at the prayer service told News 12 once they heard it was happening, they knew they wanted to be there.