White smoke came from the Vatican Tuesday evening and bells were sounded announcing to the world that the conclave of cardinals had selected a successor to the late Pope John Paul II. His identity has yet to be revealed to the world.

The crowds gathered in Saint Peter's Square shouted 'Viva il Papa!' or 'Long live the pope!'

The new pope was chosen on only the second day of the conclave, one of the shortest times for a new pope to be selected. Pope Pius XII was elected on the first day and on the third ballot while John Paul II was chosen on the fourth ballot. The new pope was selected on the fourth or fifth ballot and on the second day.

Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estivez of Chile will make the formal announcement of the new pope's identity from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica. The announcement is expected shortly. The new pope will be the 265th pontiff in the 2000 plus year history of the Roman Catholic Church.

The 1.1 billion Catholics in the world await their new leader and the man who will move the church forward through the early years of the 21st Century.