Pope Leo cancels his Assisi peace trip on doctors' advice while he recovers from lung cancer surgery

Doctors told the 71-year-old pontiff not to make the helicopter journey to the Italian town on Tuesday. The lower lobe of his right lung was removed on 13 October. A follow-up chest examination confirmed he is recovering well, but doctors advised caution so soon after the operation. He had been due to mark the 40th anniversary of St John Paul II's World Day of Prayer for Peace and will now send a message titled 'Disarmed and Disarming Peace'.

Final tests confirmed the lung adenocarcinoma was localised and needs no further treatment.

Leo left Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday to crowds shouting 'Papa!'

Before leaving hospital, he visited the children's oncology ward.