A new Pope is chosen: White smoke finally rises from the Sistine Chapel as cardinals elect the next pontiff in 3rd conclave vote

Last night’s first round of voting prompted groans around the square after black smoke was seen rising from the chimney, indicating no result had been reached.

Black smoke was also seen this morning, showing the second round had, equally, not yielded a result.

Following the third vote, no smoke appeared at all, indicating no one had been elected by 4.30pm.

Up to four votes a day can take place from then, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, with white smoke confirming a new pope has been chosen.

It was unlikely that the cardinals would come to a consensus with the first few votes, given that previous elections have taken a number of days.

The longest conclave in history was almost three years, when Pope Gregory X was elected.

The shortest lasted just 10 hours and ended with the election of Pope Julius II in 1503.