![South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit, center, and Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte, shake hands during a welcome ceremony at Chigi palace, Government's office, ahead of their meeting, Wednesday, April 10, 2019. The Vatican has invited South Sudan’s president and opposition leader Riek Machar for a two-day spiritual retreat, attended also by Mayardit, meant to foster peace after the country's five-year civil war and build confidence in its fragile peace deal. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/INUT2RL7A73TUGCM4KKW3XYK4M.jpg?smart=true&auth=f798334c5f74d6dab43707292756f6fce87392ab20e7f28fdff32d3c979d6ea0&width=400&height=225)
South Sudan President Salva Kiir and Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte shake hands during a welcome ceremony ahead of a Vatican retreat. AP
South Sudan President Salva Kiir and Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte shake hands during a welcome ceremony ahead of a Vatican retreat. AP
South Sudan’s leaders on Vatican retreat to save peace deal
With an agreement to end five years of fighting in the balance, rivals head to Rome
Charlie Mitchell
10 April, 2019