Pope Leo XIV confirms Latin America trip after recovering from surgery

Pope Leo XIV will remain at home for an upcoming trip to Assisi next week, following doctors' advice, as he recuperates from thoracic surgery, the Vatican announced on Friday. The pontiff had been scheduled to join a gathering on Tuesday to commemorate the 40th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s World Day of Prayer for Peace. According to the Vatican, the decision to cancel the helicopter journey was made to support the pope's recovery from surgery aimed at treating his lung cancer, which was diagnosed last week.

Instead of attending, Pope Leo XIV will convey his support to organizers, religious leaders, and guests at the "Disarmed and Disarming Peace" event through a message. The Assisi meeting pays tribute to the historic interfaith peace gathering led by St. John Paul II in 1986. Despite sending a message, the pope expressed his solidarity with the attendees and reaffirmed his faith in the enduring significance of dialogue and peace-building efforts.

A follow-up chest X-ray conducted by the pope's doctors confirmed that he was recuperating well; however, given the recent nature of the surgery, they advised against the trip to Assisi by helicopter as a precaution. The pope underwent the removal of a portion of one lung during the procedure, which was identified as adenocarcinoma, the most prevalent form of lung cancer.

The Vatican confirmed that the cancer was localized, and further treatment for lung cancer was not necessary after the tests.