Pope Francis says he hopes to travel to Turkey next year to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, Christianity’s first ecumenical council.

Pope Francis said on Thursday he planned to visit Turkey's Iznik next year for the anniversary of the first council of the Christian Church, Italian news agency ANSA reported.

The early centuries of Christianity were marked by debate about how Jesus could be both God and man, and the Church decided on the issue at the First Council of Nicaea in 325.

Harry Brook and Ollie Pope hit back at New Zealand with half centuries that took England to 174 for four at tea after the hosts had removed their top order on the second day of the first test at Christchurch on Friday.

Harry Brook and Ollie Pope rode their luck to lead England’s fightback after New Zealand dismantled their top order on day two in Christchurch. After bowling the Black Caps out for 348, the tourists were teetering on 71 for four in response after failing a stiff examination by the home seamers.

England's Ollie Pope says team-mate Harry Brook is a joy to watch, as he scores a century against New Zealand.