Pope Leo XIV Will Skip Assisi Peace Gathering; November Trip Stays Scheduled
Pope Leo XIV will miss the Assisi interfaith gathering on October 27, while his November Latin America trip stays on the calendar.
Event / Society
Pope Leo XIV Health
Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery on 13 October 2026 at Gemelli Hospital in Rome to remove part of his right lung after a nodule was found to be cancerous. He was discharged on 17 October and began gradually resuming his duties. A Vatican medical communiqué on 21 October stated the cancer was localized and no further treatment was required. His surgeon said there is no clinical reason to prevent his planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November 2026.
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2026-10-22 to 2026-10-25 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Oct, 10:22 UTC
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What happened
Pope Leo XIV undergoes thoracic surgery to remove part of his right lung
Pope Leo XIV, 71, underwent thoracic surgery at Rome's Gemelli hospital in which surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung. The procedure was the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate.
Tests confirm Pope Leo XIV's lung cancer is adenocarcinoma and localized
Pathology on the removed lung tissue confirmed adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. Subsequent oncological evaluation confirmed the disease was localized and that no further cancer treatment is necessary.
Pope Leo XIV's planned November trip to Latin America remains scheduled
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17, 2026, depending on his recovery. The trip includes a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes. His surgeon stated there are no clinical reasons to prevent the trip. Thoracic surgeons often advise against flying for three weeks after surgery, which aligns with the November 6 start date.
Pope Leo XIV will not attend the Assisi interfaith peace gathering on Oct. 27
Pope Leo XIV will not travel to Assisi for the October 27 gathering marking the 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace, on the advice of his doctors. He had been scheduled to attend the closing day and to join Christian leaders, including Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, for a prayer service in the Lower Basilica of St. Francis. He will instead send a message to the organizers, leaders and guests.
Assisi gathering marks 40th anniversary of 1986 interfaith peace meeting
The Oct. 25-27 interreligious gathering titled 'Disarmed and Disarming Peace' marks the 40th anniversary of the 1986 interfaith peace meeting convened in Assisi by St. John Paul II, the first to bring together representatives of all world religions to pray for peace. The gathering is organized annually by the Community of Sant'Egidio, a Catholic lay organization.
Pope Leo XIV returns to the Vatican and appears in good health in public
Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on Saturday, October 18, 2026, after his surgery. In public appearances since returning, he has spoken with a strong and clear voice.
Pope Leo XIV announces doctors found a small localized lung nodule
Pope Leo XIV announced that doctors had found a small, localized nodule in his lung and had recommended intervention. He was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital two days later, on October 13.
Pope Leo XIV's follow-up chest X-ray shows progressing postoperative recovery
A follow-up chest X-ray confirmed that Pope Leo XIV's postoperative recovery is progressing well. His medical team recommended against the planned October 27 helicopter trip to Assisi as a precautionary measure, given the short time since the operation. The medical team stated this does not indicate any abnormality in his recovery.
Pope's lung tumor discovered during routine abdominal X-ray
The pope's lung tumor was discovered incidentally during a routine abdominal X-ray, which revealed a small spot at the base of his right lung.
Pope plans to maintain South American trip from 6 to 17 November
Pope Leo XIV stated his intention to keep his previously planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, countries where he lived for two decades, scheduled for 6 to 17 November 2026.
Pope says he will gradually resume his duties
On Sunday 18 October 2026, Pope Leo XIV stated that he would gradually resume his papal duties after leaving hospital.
Vatican publishes medical communiqué on the pope's cancer and treatment
On Wednesday 21 October 2026, the Vatican published a communiqué from the pope's doctors stating that his cancer was localized and that no additional treatment was required.
Pope Leo XIV leaves hospital after lung surgery
Pope Leo XIV left Gemelli Hospital in Rome on 17 October 2026, after his lung surgery of 13 October 2026.
Pope's lung tumor found to be localized and no further treatment required
Medical examinations found that the cancer in Pope Leo XIV, aged 71, was localized. An additional oncological examination confirmed that no further treatment was necessary.
Pope Leo XIV undergoes surgery to remove part of his right lung
Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on 13 October 2026 to remove a nodule in his lung. Part of his right lung was removed after doctors determined the nodule was cancerous.
Surgeon finds no clinical reason to cancel the pope's South American trip
Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who operated on Pope Leo XIV, stated in an interview with Vatican News published on Saturday 17 October 2026 that there was no clinical reason preventing the planned trip from taking place.
Vatican announces the pope will have surgery to remove a lung nodule
On 11 October 2026, Pope Leo XIV informed the faithful that he would undergo a surgical procedure to remove a lung nodule.
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2 alternative perspectives
Pope's Lung Cancer Confirmed as Localized Adenocarcinoma; Recovery Progresses
Tests confirmed the pope's localized lung cancer is adenocarcinoma, and a follow-up X-ray shows his recovery progressing.
Pope Leo XIV Has Part of Right Lung Removed, Vatican Says
Pope Leo XIV had part of his right lung removed, is out of hospital, and plans to keep his November trip.