Pope Leo will not make Assisi visit to aid recovery after surgery

On Friday, the Holy See announced that Pope Leo XIV would skip the “Unarmed and Disarming Peace” gathering in Assisi that was set to mark the 40th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s World Day of Prayer for Peace. The decision follows a thoracic surgery that removed the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung on 13 October, and a medical assessment that, while encouraging, advised against the helicopter flight to the Umbrian town.

On 13 October, Pope Leo XIV underwent a thoracic operation to excise a malignant nodule in the lower lobe of his right lung. The procedure, the first major health event of his 17‑month pontificate, confirmed a diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma – the most common type of lung cancer – and removed the entire tumour. The Vatican’s press office reported that follow‑up tests, including a chest X‑ray, showed the pope’s postoperative recovery progressing “very well” and that no further oncological treatment was needed.

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In a separate statement, doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora explained that the short interval since the operation – just a few days – prompted a precautionary recommendation: the pope should not undertake the planned helicopter journey to Assisi. Thoracic surgeons typically advise against flying for up to three weeks after such a procedure, a guideline that the pope’s medical team cited while noting that the decision does not signal any complication.

The cancelled event, organised by the St. Egidio Community, is scheduled to run from 25 to 27 October. It will bring together 384 representatives of religions, cultures and institutions from 53 countries, and will host 24 thematic forums covering conflict, disarmament, migration, poverty, youth and the role of faith in peacebuilding. The gathering marks the 40th anniversary of the historic interfaith conference convened by St. John Paul II in 1986, a milestone that has since become a cornerstone of the Church’s dialogue work.

According to the Holy See, the pope will send a message to the organisers, interfaith leaders and guests, expressing his closeness and reaffirming his belief that the “spirit of Assisi,” dialogue and the search for words and gestures of peace remain valuable resources in an age of conflict. The statement added that the pope remains convinced that these resources are essential, even as he prioritises his recovery.

While the cancellation of the Assisi visit is a brief respite in the pope’s busy schedule, it comes amid speculation over a planned trip to Latin America in November. The Vatican has yet to confirm whether the pope will be able to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru between 6 and 17 November. The itinerary would involve a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes, and the medical team has advised that patients should not fly for three weeks after thoracic surgery – a timeframe that could affect the feasibility of the trip.

Below is a concise timeline of the key events that have shaped the pope’s recent health and public‑service schedule.

• 13 October – Thoracic surgery removes lower lobe of right lung.
• 23 October – Vatican announces cancellation of Assisi visit; pope will send a message.
• 25–27 October – Assisi event proceeds without the pope’s physical presence.

For those following the pope’s recovery, the next significant checkpoint will be the Vatican’s assessment of his fitness for the November itinerary. The medical team has indicated that the three‑week no‑flight rule is a standard precaution, but they have not ruled out the possibility of travel once the pope’s condition stabilises. The Holy See will likely provide an update when the time is right.

In the meantime, the “Unarmed and Disarming Peace” gathering will continue, guided by the message of support sent by the pope. The event’s organisers and participants have welcomed the gesture, underscoring the enduring relevance of the “spirit of Assisi” even in the pope’s absence.

For further coverage of the pope’s health and his upcoming commitments, readers may consult the Vatican News, Crux, ZENIT, and local reports from Yahoo News New Zealand and Singapore, as well as the automated aggregation on NewsCord.