Pope Leo XIV has cancelled his planned visit to Assisi, Italy, on October 27 as he continues recovering from recent thoracic surgery.
The Holy See Press Office announced that the Pope would miss the “Unarmed and Disarming Peace” meeting, which marks the 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace convened in Assisi by Pope St. John Paul II.
Instead, the pontiff will send a message to organisers and participants to express his closeness to the gathering.
In a statement, the Press Office said the decision was made to allow the Pope more time to recover following surgery he underwent on Tuesday last week.
Despite his absence, Pope Leo reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and peace efforts, particularly at a time when conflicts continue to affect different parts of the world.
The Press Office said the Pope remains convinced that the “Spirit of Assisi” and the pursuit of peace through words and actions remain valuable resources in an age of conflict.
Meanwhile, the Pope’s medical team has reported encouraging progress in his recovery.
Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said a scheduled follow-up chest X-ray confirmed that the pontiff’s postoperative recovery was progressing very well.
However, the doctors advised against the planned helicopter journey to Assisi because of the short period that has elapsed since his operation.
The recommendation was made as a precaution to avoid placing unnecessary demands on the Pope during his recovery.
The October 27 gathering commemorates four decades since Pope John Paul II convened world religious leaders in Assisi in 1986 to pray for peace, an initiative that became a symbol of interreligious dialogue.
The meeting seeks to renew that commitment through discussions and appeals for peace amid ongoing global conflicts.
Although Pope Leo will not attend in person, his planned message is expected to convey his support for the organisers and participants as they continue promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
