Pope Leo XIV will not make his scheduled visit to Assisi on October 27 in order to “aid his recovery” following his recent thoracic surgery, according to the Holy See Press Office. The Pope will instead send a message to express his closeness to the organizers and attendees of the “Unarmed and Disarming Peace” meeting, which marks the 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace convened in the Italian city by Pope St. John Paul II. “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,” read the statement. The Press Office assured everyone that the Holy Father 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.” At the same time, 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.” “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 released on Friday by the Holy See Press Office.

Pope Leo welcomed members of the American Jewish Committee in the Vatican this morning and recalled their shared commitment to promoting human dignity and to rejecting all forms of hatred and discrimination.

At his first Wednesday General Audience after having undergone surgery, Pope Leo XIV thanks everyone for their prayers and encourages the faithful to renew their trust in the goodness and mercy of God.