Last Update: Wednesday, April 20, 2005. 2:57am (AEST)

New Pope elected

Cardinals have elected a new leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics 
after a conclave lasting little more than 24 hours.

The 265th Pontiff is Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany.

He has chosen Pope Benedict XVI as his papal name, a Cardinal said on the
balcony over St Peter's Square, as he introduced him to thousands of
pilgrims massing on the square.

Earlier, white smoke rose from the Vatican's Sistine Chapel and the bells 
of St Peter's Basilica rang out, signalling the Cardinals had elected a 
pope to succeed John Paul II.

The successful candidate had needed a two-thirds majority of the 115 
Cardinals' votes, or at least 77 ballots.

Pope John Paul II died earlier this month after serving as pontiff for 
26 years - the third longest papacy in Church history.

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Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200504/s1349057.htm

Cheers, Steve..

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