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…