Pope Leo To Miss Assisi Gathering On Doctors’ Advice
The Assisi meeting, on the 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace, will go ahead with Leo sending a message to the event, the Vatican said. The post Pope Leo To Miss Assisi Gathering On Doctors’ Advice…
Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis, has long served as a symbolic venue for interfaith peace gatherings, a tradition dating back to Pope John Paul II's landmark 1986 World Day of Prayer for Peace. This year's event marks the 40th anniversary of that initiative, drawing religious leaders from across faiths to reaffirm commitments to dialogue and reconciliation at a time of multiple global conflicts.
Pope Leo XIV's absence comes as he continues to recover from lung cancer surgery, according to the Vatican, which confirmed the decision was made on medical advice. The gathering itself will still proceed as planned, with the Pope expected to send a written message rather than appear in person — a move the Vatican has framed as a precaution rather than a cancellation of papal involvement in the event's themes.