Rome, 8 May 2025 (dpa/MIA) - A new pope has been elected by cardinals meeting in the Vatican after around 24 hours of the secret conclave, as signalled by white smoke billowing out of a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel.

The appearance of white smoke shortly after 6 pm (1600 GMT) was followed by the peal of bells from St Peter's Basilica, confirming the election of a new head of the Catholic Church.

The identity of the successor to the late Francis, who died on Easter Monday, is to be made public shortly. He will be the leader of the world's estimated 1.4 billion Catholics.

Photo: Screenshot