Pope Francis writes to South Sudan leaders, Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, from his hospital bed in Rome

Pope Francis has dispatched special correspondence from the Vatican to both the President and First Vice President of South Sudan in Juba.

The Supreme pontiff sent the messages to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar respectively.

Pope Francis is urging the two South Sudanese leaders to prioritize peace, reconciliation and development for the benefit of their country and people, through bringing the chaos to an end.

Each of the two political leaders in Juba received his own messages from the Roman Pontiff, Pope Francis.

The messages were delivered to them through the Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, Monsignor Séamus Horgan.

Political violence and instability have persisted in South Sudan, with the conflict pitting government forces against the opposition factions in the East African Country.

Clashes continue to wreak havoc in Juba despite repeated attempts at peace agreements and cease-fires in 2015, 2017, and 2018.

On the other hand, Pope Francis, now aged 88 and ailing, is reportedly working from his bed at the Gemelli hospital in Rome where he has been admitted for the last five weeks or so, undergoing treatment for double pneumonia.

Even the letters addressed to the President and Vice President of South Sudan, were sent from his hospital bed.

Meanwhile Pope Francis continues to work on what is being described as church reforms from his hospital bed in Rome.

The Archbishop of Rome is said to be showing signs of recovery and his health remains on a positive trajectory, at least the Vatican reports.

Working from hospital, Pope Francis approved a three-year plan for his reform project that aims to make the church a more welcoming and responsive place for mankind.

Pope Francis has been in hospital for more than five weeks now.

Apparently his prolonged public absence has stirred up a series of speculations including rumours that the pontiff was about to resign from the papacy due to his failing health, therefore choosing to follow the steps of his predecessor Benedict XVI.

However as new developments unfold, it seems Francis is keeping the office.