VATICAN, March 13 (Xinhua) -- White smoke rose on Wednesday from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, indicating a new pope has been elected.
The smoke came at 1808 GMT and the great bells of St Peter's basilica began ringing soon after, media reports said, signaling not only that a man has been elected as the new pope, but that he has accepted the role, chosen a name and donned his white vestments.
The new pope will be unveiled to the world from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica within an hour, media reports said.
It took the 115 cardinals five rounds of voting over two days to reach their decision, which required a two-thirds majority. The conclave came after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28.
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