VATICAN CITY
WAFB
ROME (RNN) – A new leader of the Catholic Church has been chosen.
White smoke poured from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 2:06 ET, 7:06 p.m. in Italy, and the bells have rung in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The new pope, who is expected to meet the crowd in St. Peter’s Square at any moment, was chosen after the fourth round of balloting by the College of Cardinals during the second day of the conclave.
A cardinal needs 77 votes to become pope.
The election for Pope Benedict XVI lasted two days and required four ballots in April 2005. For John Paul II, voting lasted from Oct. 14 to 16 and required eight ballots.
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