In a statement obtained by Sudans Post, Kiir hailed the late pontiff as a “beacon of hope, compassion, and unity,” whose tireless efforts to foster peace in South Sudan left an enduring legacy.
Pope Francis’s commitment to South Sudan’s peace process was most vividly demonstrated during a 2019 spiritual retreat at the Vatican, where he stunned attendees by kneeling to kiss the feet of Kiir and his rival Riek Machar.
The unprecedented act of humility, despite the Pope’s chronic leg pain at the time, was a plea for the leaders to honour the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, which aimed to end a brutal five-year civil war that killed approximately 380,000 people and displaced millions.
Mr. Kiir, reflecting on the moment, described it as a “turning point” for peace partners, noting its profound impact on South Sudan’s leadership.
“His act of kindness and humility demonstrated during our visit to Rome in 2019, when he knelt down to kiss our feet, was a turning point for us, the peace partners,” read the statement.
The gesture resonated deeply in a nation where more than 60% of the population is Christian, reinforcing the Pope’s message of reconciliation through dialogue and forgiveness.
In February 2023, Pope Francis fulfilled a long-standing promise to visit South Sudan, embarking on an ecumenical “pilgrimage of peace” alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshields.
The visit, the first by a pope to the world’s newest nation, came at a critical juncture when the peace process appeared stagnant.
Addressing South Sudan’s leaders in Juba, Pope Francis urged, “No more bloodshed, no more conflicts, no more violence… It is time to build!”
He called for renewed commitment to the 2018 Peace Accord and the 2022 Road Map, warning that “future generations will either venerate your names or cancel their memory” based on their actions.
President Kiir, in response, announced the resumption of peace talks with rebel groups, a decision he attributed to the Pope’s influence.
However, challenges persist, with recent tensions between Kiir and Machar threatening to unravel progress, as noted in a March 2025 statement by the country’s religious community urging dialogue.
Pope Francis’s dedication to peace came despite significant health challenges in his later years. The 86-year-old pontiff suffered from chronic leg pain and respiratory issues, which occasionally limited his mobility.
