Doctors say follow-up X-ray shows Pope Leo XIV recovering well
Pope Leo XIV will not make the helicopter journey to the Italian town of Assisi next week after his doctors advised against the trip while he recovers from lung cancer surgery, the Vatican said Friday. The pope had been due to attend a Tuesday gathering marking the 40th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s World Day of Prayer for Peace, and 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 that Leo was recovering well. Given the short time that has elapsed since the operation, the doctors recommended as a precaution that he not make the helicopter trip, and the Vatican said Leo, 71, was advised not to travel “to facilitate his recovery” from last week’s operation.
Assisi gathering’s purpose and Pope Leo XIV’s message
The Vatican said Leo wants 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. The Assisi gathering will proceed with the pope’s message rather than his presence.
The Assisi meeting commemorates the landmark interfaith peace gathering convened by St. John Paul II in 1986.
Pope Leo XIV’s treatment and planned Latin America travel
The cancellation is the latest change to Leo’s schedule since last week, when surgeons removed a lobe where the nodule later diagnosed as malignant was located, in the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate. The surgery confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
The Vatican said Leo will need no further treatment for lung cancer after tests confirmed the disease was localized, but that his activities will be guided by medical advice during his recovery.
Leo returned to the Vatican last Saturday. In his public appearances since his return, he appeared in good health, speaking with a strong and clear voice.
His surgeon said there are “no clinical reasons” to prevent him from traveling to Latin America next month. Thoracic surgeons often advise patients not to fly for three weeks after surgery, an interval that would give the pope just the time needed to make his planned Nov. 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
The journey involves a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes.