Nigeria, May 8 -- White smoke has been seen rising above the Sistine Chapel in the Apostolic Palace in Rome, signaling that the cardinals have elected a new pope.

The new pontiff will replace Pope Francis, who died last month at age 88, as the 267th Vicar of Christ.

The smoke was seen rising from the chapel's chimney on Thursday, two days after the conclave officially began.

The conclave is an ancient process used by the Catholic church to elect a new pontiff.

For this process, the 133 cardinals qualified to vote are currently gathered at the Casa Santa Marta, where Pope Francis had lived, and have been casting their ballots in the Sistine Chapel.

The identity of the new pope is expected to be revealed soon.

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