POPE LEO TO MISS ASSISI GATHERING – VATICAN

Pope Leo XIV will not attend next week’s peace gathering in Assisi as he continues recovering from chest surgery, the Vatican announced on Friday.

Doctors advised the pontiff against making the helicopter journey to the Italian town, allowing him more time to recover.

The pope had been scheduled to attend the October 27 event marking the 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace convened by St John Paul II in 1986.

Instead, he will send a message to the organisers, religious leaders and other participants attending the gathering, titled Disarmed and Disarming Peace.

The Vatican said Pope Leo wished to express his closeness to those taking part and reaffirm the importance of dialogue and efforts to promote peace during conflict.

The cancellation is another adjustment to his schedule following surgery the previous week.

According to the Vatican, his activities will continue to be guided by medical advice during his recovery.

The Assisi gathering commemorates an important moment in interfaith cooperation, bringing attention to the role religious communities can play in encouraging peace.