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.

Marrow and Paulino Lukudu Loro, Catholic Archbishop of the capital, Juba, and Episcopalian Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul Yak held talks with the pope, who had asked them to come to the Vatican to discuss the situation in their country.

The Vatican has not announced any date for the proposed visit, however.

The pope would also need an invitation from the government to visit the country.