Soon after his nation is graced by a papal visit, Cuban President Raúl Castro will be on his way to New York to speak at the U.N. General Assembly late next week. 

This marks the first time that Castro, who took over presidential duties from his brother Fidel back in 2006, will visit the United States as the head of state.

As reported by Reuters, the latest schedule posting of events for U.N.’s annual gathering of world leaders informs that Castro will be speaking on the afternoon of Sept. 28. President Barack Obama will also be speaking that day, as will leaders from Russia, China and Iran.

The U.S. and Cuba are currently enjoying a thaw in over 50 years of icy relations. Last Dec. 17 the two leaders announced a joint march to reestablish diplomatic relations between their nations.

The General Assembly commences on Sept. 25 with a speech by Pope Francis and goes on until Oct. 3.

The pope was instrumental in helping the U.S. and Cuba come to their recent understanding, setting up secret meetings for the leaders to discuss ending the economic embargo that had been between them for more than five decades.

Castro has recently gone out of his way to praise the pontiff. 

“When the pope goes to Cuba in September, I promise to go to all his Masses, and with satisfaction,” Castro said, according to the Wall Street Journal back in May. 

“I read all the speeches of the pope, his commentaries, and if the pope continues this way, I will go back to praying and go back to the church, and I’m not joking.”

The Cuban leader's predecessor holds the distinction of delivering the longest speech at the United Nations ever. Back in 1960 Fidel Castro spoke for four and a half hours.