Pope Francis will visit the birthplace of his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, on the saint’s feast day, Oct. 4.

Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi said the visit was “a great sign” of the pope’s benevolence and consideration.

He told Vatican Radio that Pope Francis has never been to the small city in central Italy and that the pope “intends to have a very comprehensive visit that lets him walk in the footsteps of St. Francis, along his spiritual path, the path of his conversion.”