Pope Francis Cancels Assisi Trip Due to Recovery from Surgery
The pontiff will instead send a message to the interfaith gathering marking the 40th anniversary of a landmark peace event.
Pope Leo XIV has canceled his planned trip to Assisi on Tuesday, citing doctors' advice as he continues to recover from thoracic surgery. The Vatican announced Friday that the pontiff, who underwent surgery last Tuesday, will not attend the interfaith peace gathering.
The event in Assisi was scheduled to mark the 40th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s World Day of Prayer for Peace. Instead of attending, Pope Leo XIV will send a message to the organizers, Christian and other religious leaders, and guests. The gathering is titled “Disarmed and Disarming Peace.”
The Vatican stated that the pope was advised not to travel to “facilitate his recovery.” He expressed a desire to convey his closeness to the participants and to reaffirm his belief in the enduring value of the "spirit of Assisi," characterized by dialogue and the pursuit of peace, especially during times of conflict.
The Assisi meeting commemorates the significant interfaith peace gathering convened by St. John Paul II in 1986. This cancellation is the latest adjustment to Pope Leo XIV's schedule since his surgery. The Vatican has indicated that his activities will be guided by medical recommendations during his recovery period.
Earlier this week, the Vatican confirmed that the pope would not require further treatment for lung cancer, as tests showed the disease was localized. Pope Leo XIV, 71, had a portion of one lung removed last week. The surgery confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. This was the first major health event during his 17-month pontificate.