Follow-up: Pope Leo XIV Cancels Assisi Trip on Doctors' Advice, Will Send Message to Oct. 27 Peace Gathering
The Vatican said on October 23 that Pope Leo XIV will miss a planned trip to Assisi next week on doctors' orders as he continues recovering from thoracic surgery, and will instead send a written message to the gathering.
Leo had been due to attend the October 27 event marking the 40th anniversary of St. John Paul II's World Day of Prayer for Peace, titled "Disarmed and Disarming Peace." In its statement, the Vatican said the pope was advised not to travel "to facilitate his recovery" from the surgery, and that he wanted to express his closeness to participants and reaffirm his belief that the "spirit of Assisi," dialogue and the search for words and gestures of peace remain valuable resources at a time of conflict. The Assisi meeting commemorates the landmark interfaith peace gathering convened by John Paul II in 1986.
The cancellation is the latest change to Leo's schedule since his surgery. The Vatican said the pope's activities will be guided by medical advice during his recovery. Leo, 71, had the lower lobe of his right lung removed on October 13; the Vatican confirmed on October 21 that tests showed his lung adenocarcinoma was localized and that no further treatment is required. On October 21 he held his first general audience since October 7, riding in the popemobile through St. Peter's Square and telling the crowd, "The first thing I want to say to you is thank you for the support and prayers."
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：教宗良十四世（资料图，2025年5月；Edgar Beltrán / The Pillar 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，Wikimedia Commons）
- 2026-10-13Pope Leo XIV to Be Admitted Tuesday for Lung Nodule Surgery, First Major Health Event of His Pontificate
- 2026-10-13Pope Leo XIV's Lung Nodule Surgery Completed Successfully; Vatican Says He Has Returned to His Room, With About a Week of Hospital Recovery Expected
- 2026-10-13Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed With Lung Adenocarcinoma; Vatican Bulletin Says Lower Lobe of Right Lung Removed, Surgery Successful With No Complications
- 2026-10-15Follow-Up: Pope Leo XIV Resumes Working at Gemelli Hospital, Meets Chief of Staff Rudelli as Doctors Report Good Recovery of Operated Lung
- 2026-10-16Follow-up: Pope Leo XIV Phones Putin From Hospital to Urge Ceasefire and Aid for Oleshky; First Public Appearance Set for Sunday
- 2026-10-17Pope Leo XIV Cleared for Discharge Four Days After Lung Surgery; Sunday Angelus to Be First Public Appearance
- 2026-10-17Pope's Surgeon: Tumor Found 'Entirely by Chance'; Leo XIV an 'Ideal Patient,' No Clinical Obstacle to November Latin America Trip
- 2026-10-18Pope Leo XIV Makes First Public Appearance After Lung Surgery, Leads Sunday Angelus and Says He Will Gradually Resume His Activities
- 2026-10-19Pope Leo to Hold Wednesday General Audience for the First Time Since Lung Cancer Surgery
- 2026-10-21Follow-up: Pope Leo XIV Holds First General Audience Since Cancer Surgery, Rides Popemobile Around St. Peter's Square Blessing Babies
- 2026-10-21Follow-up: Pope Leo XIV's Doctors Say Final Pathology Shows Cancer Stayed Localized, No Further Treatment Needed
- 2026-10-23Follow-up: Pope Leo XIV Cancels Assisi Trip on Doctors' Advice, Will Send Message to Oct. 27 Peace GatheringThis story
- 2026-10-25Follow-Up: Pope Leo Returns to Vatican Window Less Than Two Weeks After Surgery, Appeals for End to Yemen Violence
- 2026-10-26Vatican Confirms Pope Leo's November 6-17 South America Trip Will Go Ahead: Recovery From Lung Cancer Surgery on Track
