Pope to call the heavens

Pope Francis is going to put a call into the heavens, with the Vatican announcing plans for the pontiff to call the International Space Station.

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 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 (354 km), according to NASA's website.

Former Pope Benedict spoke to the ISS astronauts in 2011.