BREAKING: Cardinals Elect New Pope

Following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, cardinals have chosen a new pope.

According to BBC, this was indicated by white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney.

The identity of the next pontiff is expected to be revealed soon when he appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet his flock.

133 red-robed cardinals from around the world cast their ballots to elect the new pope.

During the papal conclave, the cardinals were barred from leaving or having any contact with the outside world as they selected the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

• Pope Francis’ funeral set to hold Saturday – Vatican

Rapturous applause, yelling and plenty of tears in St. Peter’s Square at the sign of white smoke, NBC News reports.

“I’m so happy, it’s so incredible to be here at this moment. I don’t know how to express myself but I am grateful to God for this moment,” said Roseleia Cordeiro, 42, from Brazil.

Pope Francis’ demise left the position vacant, a period the Catholic Church described as sede vacante, which is Latin for “the seat being vacant”.