I trembled when the Pope kissed my feet — Salva Kiir

The President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has described his recent Vatican visit as a "piercing experience", saying that he "trembled" when Pope Francis kissed his feet.

In his Easter message, Kiir said that the Vatican visit should be used as a rallying experience for peace and joint cooperation for stability in South Sudan.

Kiir has also asked his former Vice President, Dr Riek Machar, to "urgently" return to Juba so that they can expedite the peace process.

"On the occasion of Easter as your leaders, we are working together to bring peace to our country. It is not too late, I am inviting Dr Riek Machar to urgently return to Juba so that we can work together to expedite the process of forming the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU)," Kiir said.

On April 11, Pope Francis was pictured kneeling down to kiss the feet of Kiir and Machar at the Pope's Santa Marta residence in the Vatican.

Here is the statement in full