Pope Francis is planning to visit Turkey next year to commemorate the centenary of the first ecclesiastical council of Nicaea, according to Reuters. The announcement was made on Friday by the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians.

The first centuries of Christianity were marked by numerous debates, such as whether Jesus could be both God and human, and if the Church should allow icons. These questions were resolved during the Council of Nicaea in 325, the first ecumenical council of Nicaea.

“The present Pope Francis wants to celebrate this important epoch together,” said Barthelemyos, the Tizerakan of the canonical diocese in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, during a meeting organized in Istanbul, Turkey.

He also mentioned that Pope Francis intends to visit the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul before the first ecumenical council of Nicaea in the city of Nicaea.

Barthelemyos also stated that meetings are being organized to facilitate the visit and that the Vatican will establish contacts with the Turkish government regarding this matter.

Pope Francis will turn 88 in December. Due to his overall health condition, international travel can be difficult for him.