A group of students from Catholic University stand on the roadside. (Photo: VOA).

Estimated tens of thousands of people cheered Pope Francis as he was leaving Juba International Airport on Friday afternoon and headed for the Presidential palace.

86-year-old Francis arrived in Juba Friday afternoon. He was wheeled down the stairs of the papal plane, and greeted President Salva Kiir and other officials at Juba International Airport.

A boy handed the pontiff a dove which he released, before he moved to the airport terminal with the president.

He has arrived from DR Congo, accompanied by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and the Moderator General of the Church of Scotland Rt.Rev. Dr. Iain Greenshields.

As the global faith leaders prepared to leave the airport terminal, security forces wrestled a huge crowd of people surging forward to catch a glimpse of the pontiff.

In the streets, church choirs, students and common people waved at the Pope’s heavily guarded motorcade. He has been made to drive in a different car other than the transparent Pope Mobile which he used before.

While leaving Juba International Airport, Pope Francis called for and greeted a young boy among the passers-by.