Pope Leo XIV canceled his visit to Assisi, on the recommendation of doctors, to avoid traveling by helicopter during his recovery

Pope Leo XIV has canceled his visit scheduled for October 27 to Assisi, Italy, on doctors’ advice to avoid traveling by helicopter during his recovery from surgery for lung cancer. The Vatican announced on Friday that the 71-year-old pontiff will not attend the peace event, organized alongside several religious leaders.

The pope underwent surgery on October 13, when doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung after he was diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Surgeon Stefano Margaritora and personal physician Luigi Carbone said that a chest X-ray indicated very good progress in his postoperative recovery.

Analysis of the removed tissue showed that the tumor was localized and that no further treatment was necessary. The pope was discharged on Saturday and is gradually resuming his activities. On Wednesday, he returned to St. Peter’s Square for the weekly audience.

The Vatican has not yet specified whether the pontiff will be able to make the trip scheduled for November 6–17 to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.