Pope Francis kisses the feet of rival leaders of Southern Sudan in a dramatic peace gesture

Pope Francis knelt to kiss the feet of former South Sudanese war leaders, urging them to stay on the path of peace in a dramatic move to the Vatican.

President Salva Kiir and his former deputy rebel leader Riek Machar clashed in 2013, provoking a civil war that claimed the lives of 380,000 people in a country that gained independence only in 2011 .

At a spiritual retreat at his home on Thursday, Francis asked the two rivals and three other vice presidents to abide by an armistice signed last year and pledge to form a government. 39 union next month.

The men seemed stunned by the fact that the 82-year-old pontiff, who was suffering from chronic leg pain, was helped by helpers as he kneeled with difficulty to kiss the shoes of the two leading leaders opposite and other people in the room.

"I ask you as a brother to remain in peace, I ask you with all my heart, let's go ahead," said Francis after performing this rare gesture.

"There will be a lot of problems but they will not overcome us, solve your problems."

His call comes as tensions mount among South Sudanese, mostly Christian, following a coup in the predominantly Muslim Sudan, with the fear that the neighboring conflict will jeopardize the situation. fragile peace agreement ending South Sudan's brutal five-year civil war.

The Vatican has reunited the leaders of the East African nation for a 24-hour prayer in an attempt to dispel the bitter divisions before the country adopts a new government. 39; union.

"There will be struggles, disagreements among you, but keep them in you, in the office, so to speak," added Francis during the meeting.

"But before the people, hold your hands together, so as ordinary citizens, you will become the fathers of the nation."

In his address prepared earlier Thursday, Francis said that the people of southern Sudan were exhausted by the war and that leaders had a duty to build their young country to justice.

He also reiterated his wish to visit the country with other religious leaders to strengthen the peace process.