White smoke could be seen rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney in Vatican City on Thursday, signaling that cardinals have selected a new pope to lead the Catholic Church after the passing of Pope Francis.

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,

The smoke signal means the winner secured at least 89 votes of the 133 cardinals participating in the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis.

Robert Francis Prevost, who led the Vatican office that selects and manages bishops globally, has spent much of his life outside the United States.

Robert Prevost, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, was not among the top contenders, making his selection a relative surprise.