Pope Leo XIV has canceled his planned visit to Assisi on October 27 on the advice of his doctors as he continues recovering from lung surgery, the Vatican announced Friday.
“To aid his recovery following the thoracic surgery he underwent on Tuesday of last week, Pope Leo XIV will be unable to attend the ‘Unarmed and Disarming Peace’ meeting in Assisi on October 27, as planned,” the Holy See Press Office said.
The pope will instead send a message expressing his closeness to the organizers, religious leaders and other participants, according to the statement.
The statement added that Pope Leo remained convinced “that the “Spirit of Assisi” dialogue and the search for words and gestures of peace are valuable resources in an age of conflict.”
In a separate medical update, the Vatican also said a follow-up chest X-ray confirmed that the pope’s postoperative recovery is progressing “very well.”
“However, given the short time that has elapsed since the surgery, his doctors advised against the planned helicopter journey on October 27 as a precaution,” the statement noted.
The pope underwent surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on October 13 to remove a nodule from his lung.
The Vatican said the 90-minute operation was successful and that the lower lobe of his right lung was removed using video-assisted surgery. A histological examination confirmed lung adenocarcinoma.
He was discharged Saturday, after the Vatican had canceled his engagements through October 20 to allow him to recover.
His doctors also confirmed late Wednesday that he would not be requiring further treatment.