Pope Leo XIV will not travel to Assisi on doctors' advice after chest surgery

The Holy See Press Office said on Friday, October 23, that Pope Leo XIV will not travel to the Italian town of Assisi on October 27. He had been due to take part in the meeting "Peace disarmed and disarming," marking the 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace called by St. John Paul II.

The reason is strictly medical. The doctors treating the pope advised against the scheduled helicopter flight because of the short time since the chest surgery he underwent on Tuesday, October 13.

Positive recovery but caution needed

On Friday morning, Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora reported that Leo XIV had undergone a follow-up chest X-ray, as planned in his postoperative care. The result was positive, and the examination confirmed an excellent recovery after the operation.

His doctors did not consider that improvement enough to clear him for air travel, and they advised against the flight as a precaution. The medical team judged that not enough time had passed since the surgery to guarantee a safe helicopter transfer.

Papal message to Assisi

In a later statement, the Holy See said the pope will send a message to the organizers of the meeting, to the leaders and representatives of the various Christian confessions and religions, and to the other guests in Assisi.

In that text, Leo XIV will express his closeness and his conviction that the so-called "spirit of Assisi," together with dialogue and the search for words and gestures of peace, are resources of great value at a time marked by conflict.