Catholics elect Pope Francis

White smoke has billowed from a Sistine Chapel chimney to show that a new pope has been elected to replace the frail Benedict XVI as leader of the world's 1.2 billon Catholics.

Pope Francis speaks from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Photo / AP

Image 1 of 16: Pope Francis speaks from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Photo / AP