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The new leader of the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics appears on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica.

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German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 78, asked to be known as Pope Benedict XVI.

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He asked the world to pray for him and his papacy and delivered his first blessing to Rome and the world.

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He said he was a "simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord" who would follow the "Great John Paul II".

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There were jubilant scenes in St Peter's Square as thousands arrived to be the first to see the new pope.

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The news came through on Tuesday evening when white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel.

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There was some initial confusion over the colour of the smoke...

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...but the bells of St Peter's Basilica began to toll - making it clear the cardinals in conclave had made their choice.

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A short while later, Chilean Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez told the world the name of the new pope.