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| White smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel signals a new pope has been chosen on Wednesday, March 13 |
Rome (CNN) -- Cardinals meeting in the Vatican have chosen a new pope to lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
White smoke rose from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel Wednesday afternoon, signaling the election.
Bells also rang just after 7 p.m. (2 p.m. ET), confirming that the 115 cardinals had chosen the next pontiff.
The decision happened after
the fifth ballot cast since the conclave began Tuesday.
Crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square cheered to welcome the election of a new pope to succeed Benedict XVI.
The new pope will dress in his new robes, and could make his first appearance within the hour.
Seventy-seven votes were
required to confirm a new pontiff to step into the shoes left empty by
the historic resignation of Benedict XVI at the end of last month.
Whoever it may be will take on the leadership of a church that has been
rocked by child sex abuse scandals and corruption claims in recent
years.