Pope to get closer to heavens with call to space station

Pope Francis looks on during a private audience with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (not pictured) at the Vatican October 9, 2017. /REUTERS
Pope Francis looks on during a private audience with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (not pictured) at the Vatican October 9, 2017. /REUTERS

Pope

Francis

will get closer to the heavens this month when he puts in a call to the International Space Station.

The Vatican said on Monday the

pope

would make the call at 5 pm (1500 GMT) on October 26.

It gave no further details but

Francis

has supported the work of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, which regularly brings together scientists from around the world to exchange views on topics such as climate change.

The current six-member crew of the International Space Station is made up of three Americans, two Russians and one Italian.

It orbits the Earth at a height of about 220 miles, according to NASA's website.

Former

Pope

Benedict spoke to the ISS astronauts in 2011.

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