Vatican explains why Pope Francis knelt before South Sudanese leaders

VATICAN, (Patria), The scene in which Pope Francis kisses the feet of South Sudanese leaders should be understood in the context of an atmosphere of mutual forgiveness, the Holy See explained on its official portal.

The meeting of the two highest authorities of civil and ecclesiastical power in South Sudan at the residence of Pope Francis was not a "political-diplomatic summit," writes in an editorial Andrea Tornielli.

It was an "experience of prayer and joint reflection of two leaders, who signed a peace agreement but have difficulties in respecting that agreement," it states. 

"You have started a process, may it end well. There will be fights among you, but let them remain in the office; before the people, take each other by the hand," the Pope said on Thursday after a joint prayer.

He then knelt before the President of the Republic of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit and rebel leader Riek Machar, who were sworn enemies and now must govern together.

The Pope's act occurred seven days before priests around the world would perform such a gesture in churches in memory of the Last Supper according to Christian tradition, when Jesus washed the feet of the apostles, an act of humility in service.

The youngest country in the world, South Sudan is a predominantly Christian nation, gaining independence from Sudan in 2011 after 22 years of war. In December 2013, a civil war broke out due to rivalry between Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, although they were once allies in a common fight against Khartoum.

Both signed a new peace agreement in September in Addis Ababa, committing to share power and end five years of civil war with more than 380,000 lives lost and more than four million inhabitants displaced and refugees. 

On Thursday, the Pope congratulated the signatories and expressed hope "that hostilities will cease so that the ceasefire will be respected."