Pope Francis is set to leave DRC capital Kinshasa for Juba this afternoon. (Courtesy).

Pope Francis is calling on media professionals around the world, including those in South Sudan to engage their audience on topics that promote peace and unity.

Speaking with members and employees of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication this week, Francis urged media professionals to let their hearts and values shine through in their work.

He described the importance of communication as a “round trip”.

“There is no one-way communication. It goes and comes back, and in this, we too grow,” said the Pontiff.

“Communication is a human connection that should resemble a telephone conversation in which a person speaks but also listens.”

Francis added that he is wary of communicators who focus merely on their journalistic technique without giving their own selves.

The 85-year-old Argentinian noted that dialogue “always brings risks” because it means overcoming the temptations toward disinterest.

The pontiff appealed to journalists around the world, including South Sudan to always be on the road and engage with others to provide news and information to the public.