The Vatican's cardinals have elected a new Pope, with white smoke seen billowing out of the Sistine Chapel's chimney.

It remains unclear who the new pontiff will be - but he is expected on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica shortly.

The bells of St Peter's were heard ringing out on Thursday afternoon shortly after 6pm local time - on the first full day of voting by the 133 cardinal electors.

Huge crowds in St Peter's Square were seen cheering and clapping as the first puffs of smoke emerged from the chapel, where the cardinals have been holding their secret ballot.

Flags from all around the world were seen in the historic square - with thousands gathered to watch as Pope Francis's successor is revealed to the public.

Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti will make an address in just a few minutes' time to reveal the name of the new head of the Catholic Church.

Flags from around the world were seen flying in St Peter's Square as thousands gathered at the Vatican to see the new Pope

Huge crowds in St Peter's Square were seen cheering and clapping as the first puffs of smoke emerged

Pope Francis's successor will appear on the balcony of St Peter's shortly

It comes just 17 days after Francis's death on Easter Monday - which itself was only one day after his final public appearance.

Francis, born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who served as the Vatican's Secretary of State under Francis, and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle were considered the frontrunners.

Any Italian Pope would be the first for more than five decades - while if Tagle is elected, he would mark the first ever Asian pontiff.

Other potential papal candidates include France's Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungary's Peter Erdo, American Robert Prevost, Italy's Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Filipino Pablo Virgilio David.