Pope Leo to miss Assisi gathering, Vatican says

Pope Leo XIV will miss the “Disarmed and Disarming Peace” gathering in Assisi on October 27 on medical advice as he recovers from surgery to remove part of his right lung. His doctors, Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora, advised against the helicopter trip despite an excellent post-operative recovery; the pope will send a message to the event. The 71-year-old left Rome’s Gemelli hospital five days after surgery, and doctors said no further treatment was needed because the cancer was localized. The gathering, marking the 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace, will bring together 384 representatives from 53 countries.