Pope Leo XIV cancels Assisi trip on doctors' advice as he recovers from surgery

Pope Leo XIV will skip a planned helicopter trip to Assisi next week after doctors advised against the journey as he recovers from lung cancer surgery, the Vatican said Friday. The 71-year-old pope was due to attend a Tuesday gathering marking the 40th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s World Day of Prayer for Peace. Instead, he will send a message to the event organizers, interfaith leaders and guests. A follow-up chest X-ray reportedly shows he is recovering well, but doctors recommended against traveling because of the short time since last week’s operation. Surgery removed a lobe where a later malignant nodule was located, confirming adenocarcinoma, and tests showed the cancer was localized. The Vatican said he is expected to follow medical guidance, and that he still plans a Latin America trip next month.