VIDEO: Pope Francis Kissing Kiir, Riel Machar Feet!!

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Why Pope Francis kissed feet of South Sudan rivals Machar, Kiir: Priest explains

Pope Francis, in a dramatic gesture after an unprecedented retreat at the Vatican, knelt to kiss the feet of South Sudan’s previously warring leaders on Thursday.

The 82-year-old pope, helped by aides, knelt with difficulty to kiss the shoes of President Salva Kiir, his former deputy turned rebel leader Riek Machar, and three other vice presidents.

Reuters reports that the two main opposing leaders and several other people in the room, appeared to be stunned by the unexpected gesture.

According to Fr Wawerũ Gĩchũkĩ, a Catholic Priest based in France, kissing of feet is a gesture normally used on Holy Thursday which has several symbolisms; the two being humility and rebirth.