Pope Leo XIV will skip Assisi peace event on 27 October on medical advice after lung surgery

A trip cancelled on medical advice

The Vatican said on 23 October that Pope Leo XIV will not travel to Assisi on 27 October, as previously planned. He was due to attend the meeting "Disarmed and disarming peace," which marks the 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace convened by Saint John Paul II. The Community of Sant'Egidio organizes the gathering, which was set to conclude with the Pope's participation. The decision follows thoracic surgery carried out in mid-October, and doctors judged that too little time had passed for the planned flight.

“Given the short time since the operation, the doctors treating him have considered it advisable to advise against the helicopter trip planned for 27 October.”

Post-operative checks

A chest X-ray taken as scheduled confirmed what the Vatican described as an excellent post-operative course, but doctors still recommended a precautionary step. Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora signed the medical update, which the Vatican press office sent to accredited journalists. The bulletins described the latest chest scan as showing improvement in line with expectations. The operation removed an adenocarcinoma of the lung, and doctors said no further treatment is needed. The Assisi meeting itself traces back to 27 October 1986, when John Paul II invited representatives of different religions to Assisi to pray together for peace.

Recovery and wider schedule

The Pope returned to the Vatican after the operation and has gradually resumed his daily activity. He has since addressed thousands of faithful at a general audience in St Peter's Square, thanking them for their support and prayers. The Vatican said he will still send a message of closeness to the organizers, to Christian and other religious leaders, and to the guests, citing the "spirit of Assisi" and dialogue as valuable in an age of conflict. Preparations continue for his trip to South America, scheduled for 6-17 November. The cancellation of Assisi is the first sign that his calendar for the coming weeks could shift, particularly the November trip to Latin America. For now, his analyses and medical tests have shown positive signs.