This selection comes after two days of conclave in the Sistine Chapel, tying the modern record for the fastest selection of a pope.

On the afternoon of Thursday, May 8, white smoke from the Sistine Chapel's chimney billowed into the sky, prompting waves of cheers in St. Peter's Square and signaling to the world that the 267th pope has been determined.

It took just two days for the College of Cardinals to elect a new Pope less than a month after the death of Francis

White smoke was seen pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling the College of Cardinals has chosen a successor to Pope Francis.

White smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel's chimney signals that Cardinal Robert Prevost has been chosen as the new pope.

Catholic cardinals are gathering at the Vatican for the 2025 conclave to choose Pope Francis' successor. Here's how long it could take.

Still, it was an exciting moment for the Americans who were at the Vatican that day. Mariner says he and his wife were in a restaurant in Rome at the time, surrounded by dozens of U.S. citizens. When the new pope was announced, Mariner heard many of the patrons joyfully exclaim, “He’s an American!”

Cardinals have elected a new pope who will appear on the Vatican balcony soon and be named—watch our live stream.

After white smoke billows in the air, what happens after a new pontiff is chosen? A lot, actually — and experts are telling PEOPLE everything you need to know