Pope Francis arrives at the state house J1 on Friday afternoon. (Photo: Office of the President.)

Pope Francis has told President Salva Kiir and his first deputy, Dr. Riek Machar to bring lasting peace to the country and end the years of violence that has inflicted pain on South Sudanese.

The pontiff, the bishops and the president jointly addressed the country after an intense closed-door meeting at the Presidential Palace on Friday.

He had met with the presidency officials, diplomats, religious leaders and civil society groups.

Addressing the country, Pope Francis made an appeal to President Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar to end the bloodshed and return the country to peace.

“Dear President and Vice President, it is time to say no more bloodshed, no more war, no more destruction. Let us stop all this. It is time for peace,” the pontiff said through a translator.

He added that changing the course of “this country” from worst to peace is soldiered on the leaders, and warned them against turning the country into a cemetery

He emphasized on the need for reconciliation and called on nation to shun hatred, tribalism and regionalism.

“There is no peace without justice, no freedom without justice. Every person has the right to life. It is time to move from worst to best. It is time to stay together,” the pontiff said.

However, he stressed that there can never be peace without Justice and no freedom without justice.

On his part, President Kiir thanked the pope for fulfilling his promise to visit the country and reaffirmed his commitment to fully implement peace with the parties.