There is cheering and celebration amongst the gathered crowds in the Vatican.

Flags waved and people have been embracing one another as the search for the next leader of the Catholic Church has reached its conclusion.

Huge cheers from the crowd as the white smoke rises, everyone is running forward to see it.

People are jumping up and with joy, some are praying to the sky. One couple from Greece say it’s a "once in a life time experience", adding that they will wait to see the new pope appear on the balcony.

The sound here is tremendous, the bells are ringing so loudly it’s reverberating around the square as people cheer and scream with joy.

The electing cardinals have now chosen a new pope and things will move pretty swiftly now.

Now that white smoke has appeared, the new pontiff will normally appear on the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square in the next hour.

The new pope is now being led to a small room next to the Sistine Chapel where he will put on the white papal robes.

The senior cardinal will soon confirm the decision with the words "Habemus Papam" - Latin for "we have a Pope" - and introduce the new pontiff by his chosen papal name.

With white smoke now billowing from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, it's clear the voting process has concluded and the cardinals have chosen a successor to Pope Francis.

We don't yet know who has been selected, but it will become clear when they emerge on the balcony of the Sistine Chapel, likely within the hour.

Stick with us and we'll let you know who it is, as soon as we have confirmation.

(Source: BBC)