Pope Francis will be the first pope to travel to the Venice Biennale.
This was surprisingly announced by the Vatican press office on Tuesday.
Among other things, the Pope will visit the Vatican Pavilion at the Biennale on 28 April.
A meeting with the faithful and clergy in Venice is also planned.
Since 2013, the Vatican has had its own artistic contribution to the international art exhibition in the lagoon city, which has been held every two years since 1985.
It is being held for the 60th time this year.
The Pope's trip to Venice is already the third within Italy that has been announced for the current year.
Pope Francis will visit Verona on 18 May and Trieste on 7 July.