Cardinal Robert Prevost from the US to be Pope after secret Conclave as white smoke erupts from Vatican

CARDINAL Robert Prevost from the US has been elected as Pope after less than 24 hours of secretive voting.

White smoke erupted from the Vatican at around 5pm as a signal that the new pontiff had been chosen.

The Pope greeted the world for the first time on the balcony in the iconic St Peter's Basilica overlooking St Peter's Square.

The newly elected pontiff appeared in papal robes - complete with a white silk sash and skullcap and red leather shoes.

The announcement of the new pope was made as clouds of white smoke or fumata bianca emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, as a bell rang.

Crowds of faithful Catholics erupted with joy and were seen cheering as they patiently waited to find out who the new Pope would be.

It comes after black smoke billowed from the chimney this morning, meaning no new pontiff had been selected.

The new pontiff was chosen in an ancient ritual that has remained unchanged for 1,000 years.

The historic event saw 133 cardinals take part in multiple rounds of voting beginning on Wednesday, until a clear winner was decided.

The swift resolution after just one day keeps with the trend of other recent conclaves, with both those in 2005 and 2013 leading to new popes within a few ballots.

For a pope to be elected they must get two-thirds of the vote with each cardinal’s vote having equal value.

There was much speculation as to who would be the next pope before the conclave began.

The conclave was initiated after the death of Pope Francis at 88 on the morning of Easter Monday, following a battle with pneumonia.

Pope Francis was anointed in 2013 when he took over from Pope Benedict XVI who stepped back from the role due to ill health in an incredibly rare move.