Jorge Mario Bergoglio is the New Pope: Now to be addressed as Pope Francis 1

White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel after cardinals chose a new leader for the Catholic church.

The new pope, Pope Francis, 76 was elected at the Vatican at about 7:09pm and announced to the world at about 8:10pm

The new head of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics is expected to lead the Christian nation.

His appearance came after French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the protodeacon, announces "Habemus Papum" - "We have a pope" - and gave his name as the new pontiff in Latin.

The white smoke indicated the new pontiff had obtained the required two thirds majority in the fifth round of voting by 115 cardinals over two days.