By Joshua McElwee, Crispian Balmer and Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel and the bells of St. Peter's rang out on Thursday, signalling that cardinals have elected a new pope to succeed Pope Francis and take charge of the Roman Catholic Church.

Papal conclave ballots have been burned to maintain secrecy for centuries. Ballot smoke has been used to announce a decision since 1914.

The Catholic Church has a new leader, with the Augustinian cardinal Robert Prevost elected as Pope Leo XIV, his chosen name as Bishop of Rome. He is the first American pope and the first of African descent since the fifth century.