Pope Leo XIV Cancels Assisi Trip on Doctors’ Advice

Pope Leo XIV will not travel to Assisi next week after doctors advised against the helicopter journey while he recovers from surgery to treat lung cancer, the Vatican said Friday. The pope had been scheduled to attend a gathering in the Italian town on Tuesday marking the 40th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s World Day of Prayer for Peace. He will instead send a message to the organizers, religious leaders and other guests, the Vatican said. In a separate statement, the pope’s doctors said a follow-up chest X-ray showed he was recovering well. They nevertheless recommended that he avoid the helicopter trip as a precaution because little time had passed since his operation. The meeting is titled Disarmed and Disarming Peace. It commemorates an interfaith peace gathering convened by St. John Paul II in 1986. The Vatican said Leo wanted to express his closeness to participants and reaffirm the value of dialogue and the search for peace amid conflict. The pope, 71, underwent thoracic surgery last week. The Vatican said the procedure was to treat lung cancer. According to the Vatican, tests showed the cancer was localized and he would need no further treatment for it. The Vatican...