Doctors Advise Pope Leo XIV to Skip Oct. 27 Assisi Peace Meeting
The pope will send a message to the gathering instead, as he continues to recover from the lung surgery he had Oct. 13.
VATICAN CITY —
Pope Leo XIV will not travel to Assisi, Italy, on Oct. 27 as planned, after his doctors advised against the trip while he recovers from lung surgery, the Holy See Press Office announced Friday, Oct. 23.
The pope had been scheduled to attend the “Unarmed and Disarming Peace” meeting organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio. He will send a message to the organizers and guests instead, according to Vatican News.
The Press Office said the change was made “to aid his recovery following the thoracic surgery he underwent on Tuesday of last week.” Surgeons removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung on Oct. 13.
His doctors, Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora, said a follow-up chest X-ray showed that “his postoperative recovery is progressing very well.” They said they advised against the planned helicopter trip to Assisi as a precaution.
The Oct. 25-27 gathering marks the 40th anniversary of the 1986 World Day of Prayer for Peace convened by Pope John Paul II. Vatican News said it is expected to draw 384 representatives from 53 countries across 24 forums.
The pope's doctors said earlier this week that the surgery removed all of the malignant lung adenocarcinoma and that no further treatment is needed.
