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April 18, 2019

South Sudan's Christian leaders say papal kiss is message of Easter

Pope Francis kisses the feet of South Sudan Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, left, and South Sudan President Salva Kiir, right, April 11, 2019, at the conclusion of a two-day retreat at the Vatican for African nation's political leaders. The pope begged the leaders to give peace a chance.

NAIROBI, Kenya - Pope Francis' surprise kiss on the feet of South Sudanese political leaders is the message of Easter, the country's Christian leaders said in a joint Easter message.

Published in Faith
April 11, 2019

At retreat for South Sudan leaders, Pope literally begs for peace

Pope Francis greets South Sudan President Salva Kiir April 11, 2019, at the end of a two-day spiritual retreat the pope hosted in the Domus Sanctae Marthae at the Vatican for the political leaders of South Sudan.

VATICAN CITY - At the end of a highly unusual spiritual retreat for the political leaders of warring factions, Pope Francis knelt at the feet of the leaders of South Sudan, begging them to give peace a chance and to be worthy "fathers of the nation."

Published in Vatican
April 9, 2019

Pope scheduled to address South Sudan leaders meeting at Vatican

Pope Francis talks with President Salva Kiir of South Sudan during a private audience at the Vatican March 16, 2019. The president of South Sudan and a number of officials are scheduled for a "spiritual retreat" at the Vatican in early April.

VATICAN CITY - To help bring lasting peace to a nation scarred by civil war, Pope Francis was scheduled to speak with and bless leaders from South Sudan gathered for a spiritual retreat at the Vatican.

Published in Vatican
March 8, 2017

Bishop rejects South Sudan president's day of prayer as a political move

South Sudan President Salva Kiir called for a national day of prayer, which Bishop Santo Loku Pio Doggale, ishop Santo Loku Pio Doggale, Auxiliary Bishop of Juba, called a 'political prayer.'

JUBA, South Sudan – The call by South Sudan's president for a national day of prayer was met with derision by one of the country's bishops, who called it a “political prayer” and a mockery.

Published in International