24/10/2026
POPE LEO XIV CANCELS PLANNED VISIT TO ASSISI FOLLOWING LUNG SURGERY
The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV will no longer travel to Assisi, Italy, on October 27, where he was expected to participate in an interreligious gathering for peace marking the 40th anniversary of a historic initiative launched by Pope St John Paul II.
The decision was made on the advice of his doctors as the Holy Father continues recovering from thoracic surgery performed on October 13, during which the lower lobe of his right lung was removed.
BUT THERE IS ENCOURAGING NEWS ABOUT HIS RECOVERY.
According to the Vatican, a follow-up chest X-ray showed that the Pope’s postoperative recovery was progressing very well. However, his medical team advised him to avoid the planned helicopter journey as a precaution, given how recently he underwent surgery.
Although he will not be physically present in Assisi, Pope Leo XIV will send a message to the organisers, representatives of Christian denominations, other religions and participants attending the gathering.
The event, themed “Disarmed and Disarming Peace,” commemorates 40 years since Pope St John Paul II brought religious leaders together in Assisi in 1986 to pray for peace.
The gathering is still scheduled to take place from October 25 to 27.
What message would you like to send to Pope Leo XIV as he continues his recovery? Share your prayers and good wishes in the comments. 👇
