White Smoke Signals New Pope

White smoke is rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, meaning that the 115 cardinal electors have chosen a new pope after one day of voting.

The news was met with bells and shouts of joy from the rain-soaked faithful gathered in the Vatican City square.

The name of the 266^th leader of the Hloy Roman Catholic Church has yet to be revealed. All cardinal-electors are sworn to secrecy about the papal vote on pain of excommunication. For the first time, The Vatican even made a point that the conclave members were not allowed to use mobile devices within the Sistine Chapel during this conclave. The world will not know the name of the new Pope until he steps out on to the balcony on the front of St. Peter's Basilica.

The election of a new pope has been in the works ever since Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI stepped down from his position on Feb. 28. Benedict XVI was the first Pope to abdicate in nearly 600 years. The conclave, wherein cardinal-electors pick a new pope from within their ranks, began yesterday.

While it is not yet known who the new pope is, only that he has been selected, Italian Cardinal Angelo Scola was the odds-on favorite to become the next pope. Others in consideration included Ghanan Cardinal Peter Turkson and another Italian cardinal, Tarcisio Bertone.

Stick with Mstarz for more on this story as it develops.