Pope Francis was the first Pope to visit South Sudan, which became an independent country in 2011
We've been seeing tributes to the late Pope from across Africa, a continent with the world's fastest-growing Catholic population.
Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed writes on X: "I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of Pope Francis... may his legacy of compassion, humility, and service to humanity continue to inspire generations to come."
Kenyan President William Ruto calls the Pope's passing a "big loss" to the Christian world, and praises Francis's "unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice".
Since becoming Pope in 2013, Francis made multiple trips to Africa.
Yesterday, in his Easter message, he appealed for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and South Sudan.