Pope Leo has cancelled a planned trip to Assisi to avoid a helicopter flight as he recovers from lung cancer surgery, the Vatican said on Friday.
The 71-year-old pontiff had been due to visit the Italian town of Assisi, north of Rome, on Tuesday to mark the 40th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s World Day of Prayer for Peace.
"To support his recovery following thoracic surgery last Tuesday, and in accordance with doctors' advice, Pope Leo XIV will be unable to attend," the Vatican said in a statement.
The pope will instead send a message to organisers, Christian and other religious leaders, and guests attending the event, titled “Disarmed and Disarming Peace.”
The Vatican said Leo 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.
In a separate statement, the pope's surgeon and doctors said a follow-up chest examination confirmed he was recovering well. However, given the short time that has elapsed since the operation, they recommended as a precaution that he not make the trip to Assisi by helicopter.
The cancellation is the latest change to Leo’s schedule since he had the lower lobe of his right lung removed in surgery on October 13 and was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer.
He was discharged from hospital on Saturday and is gradually resuming his normal duties. On Wednesday, he returned to St Peter's Square for his weekly audience with pilgrims.
On Wednesday, doctors said further exams of the tissue removed in the operation had confirmed the cancer was localised and he would not require any further ongoing cancer treatments.
The Vatican has said the pope’s activities will be guided by medical advice during his recovery.
It is unclear whether a planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru between November 6 and 17 will go ahead.
Thoracic surgeons often advise patients not to fly for three weeks after surgery, which would give the pope just the interval needed to make the trip, depending on his recovery.
The trip will involve a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes.
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