At the end of the spiritual retreat, that brought the two political adversaries from Southern Sudan together at the Santa Marta house, Pope Francis made an unexpected gesture.

He knelt down to kiss the feet of the two leaders who led the country into civil war. Pope Francis asked them “from the heart and with their deepest feelings” to keep the peace.

Recently an armistice has been signed and from the month of May a transitional government will be created in which both leaders will participate.