Pope Francis accepts church leaders' invitation to visit South Sudan

Pope Francis speaks as he leads the general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican October 26, 2016. REUTERS/Max Rossi

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis has accepted an invitation to visit South Sudan to preach peace in the country embroiled in inter-ethnic and political strife, religious leaders said after talks with the pontiff on Thursday.

"He accepted the invitation and said that in principle he really wants to come," said Rev. Peter Gai Lual Marrow of the SoutH Sudan's Presbyterian Church.