Oct. 23, 2026 at 1:16 am Updated Oct. 23, 2026 at 5:28 am

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV will miss a planned trip to Assisi next week after doctors advised against the helicopter journey to the Italian town as he recovers from lung cancer surgery, the Vatican said Friday.

The pope had been due to attend a gathering on Tuesday marking the 40th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s World Day of Prayer for Peace.

The Vatican said Leo, 71, was advised not to travel “to facilitate his recovery” from last week’s operation. The pope will instead send a message to the organizers, interfaith leaders and guests attending the “Disarmed and Disarming Peace” event.

In a separate statement, the pope’s doctors said a follow-up chest X-ray confirmed he’s recovering well, but given the short time that has elapsed since the operation, they recommended as a precaution that he not make the helicopter trip.

The Vatican said Leo wants to express his closeness to participants and reaffirm his belief that the “spirit of Assisi,”…