Pope to miss peace meeting in Assisi to aid recovery after surgery

Pope Leo during his pastoral visit to Assisi on 6 August 2026 - Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

The Vatican announced today that Pope Leo XIV will not be attending the 'Unarmed and Disarming Peace' meeting in Assisi on October 27 on his doctors' advice.

The Vatican press office said in a statement: "To aid his recovery following the thoracic surgery he underwent on Tuesday of last week, Pope Leo XIV will be unable to attend the 'Unarmed and Disarming Peace' meeting in Assisi on October 27, as planned. The meeting marks the 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace convened by Saint John Paul II."

The statement says the Pope remains convinced "that the 'Spirit of Assisi' dialogue and the search for words and gestures of peace are valuable resources in an age of conflict," and says he will send a message expressing his closeness to the "organizers, the leaders and representatives of Christian denominations and other religions, and the guests attending".

The Pope's medical team, Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said the Holy Father underwent a scheduled follow-up chest X-ray, which confirmed that his "postoperative recovery is progressing very well."

"The Holy Father underwent a follow-up chest X-ray as scheduled. The examination confirmed that his postoperative recovery is progressing very well. However, given the short time that has elapsed since the surgery, his doctors advised against the planned helicopter journey on October 27 as a precaution," they noted in the statement.

On Wednesday the doctors that the surgery removed all of the malignant lung adenocarcinoma and that subsequent tests confirmed that "no further treatment is necessary."

The Assisi peace meeting was organized by the St Egidio Community and will take place from October 25 to 27.

It marks the 40th anniversary of the historic World Day of Prayer for Peace convened by Pope St John Paul II in 1986.

The St. Egidio Community has since carried forward the 'Spirit of Assisi' through annual interreligious meetings across Europe and beyond.

This year's event, entitled 'Unarmed and Disarming Peace,' is expected to bring together 384 representatives of religions, cultures, and institutions from 53 countries.

Its 24 thematic forums will address issues including conflict, disarmament, migration, poverty, young people, and the role of religions in building peace.