Eighteen days after Pope Francis last appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, his successor -- the 267th pope -- emerged.

Some have watched it in the cinema,” one cleric involved said, adding that the movie accurately portrays how the conclave works.

White smoke is pouring out the chimney of the Sistine Chapel ... so, the world officially has a new pope. The smoke began coming out just moments ago ... and, the bells of the chapel have been rung -- two of the biggest indicators that leaders in the Catholic Church have chosen a new pope.