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Pope Undergoes Surgery for Broken Wrist

By LUCA BRUNO and ARIEL DAVID

posted: 5 HOURS 39 MINUTES AGO

comments: 187

filed under: Pope Benedict News, World News

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AOSTA, Italy (July 17) - Pope Benedict XVI emerged smiling from the hospital Friday after undergoing surgery for a broken wrist due to a fall at his Alpine vacation chalet. Doctors said his right arm would be in a cast for a month.

A Vatican statement said the 82-year-old pope fell in his room overnight and despite the accident, celebrated Mass and had breakfast in the morning before going to the hospital.

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After an X-ray showed the fracture, surgeons performed a successful, 20-minute operation under local anesthesia on the right wrist, said Dr. Pierluigi Berti, the director of the Umberto Parini hospital in Aosta. The surgery was to reduce the fracture, a procedure to realign the broken bone fragments.

The pontiff left the hospital about six hours after arriving, smiling and waving with his left arm as he climbed into his car. His right arm hung straight by his side, the cast hidden by his white vestments.

Berti said the pope was in high spirits and stressed that the fall had been accidental and was not the result of any health condition. He said the cast will be removed in a month.

Dr. Amedeo Mancini, the orthopedic surgeon who performed Friday's operation, said the pope would suffer no long-term effects from the fracture, and would be able to write and play the piano once his wrist heals.

"It was a special patient for a routine operation," Mancini said, adding that Benedict was an excellent patient and readily agreed to the surgery.

Patrizio Polisca, the pope's personal physician, said in a statement that Benedict's general health was good and he was fit to return to the chalet in the mountains near Aosta.

Benedict has been healthy during his five-year pontificate and there have been no reports of medical problems.

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Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said earlier Friday that Benedict had slipped and was hurt, but that it did not seem serious. The ANSA news agency reported that Benedict arrived at the hospital by car and walked into the first aid ward with his personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Ganswein.

Vatican security and Italian police stood on guard outside the hospital, where a small crowd of onlookers gathered.

Benedict has been vacationing in the village of Les Combes in the Valle d'Aosta region near the French border since Monday. He is scheduled to remain there until July 29, making two scheduled public appearances in northwestern Italy to deliver his traditional Angelus prayer on Sundays. He was expected to stick to his schedule despite the accident, Vatican aides said.

One pleasure that he is sure to be denied at least in the near term is playing the piano. The pope is a classical music lover and enjoys playing the instrument while on vacation.

With a cast, he may also find it difficult to write, sign documents or bless crowds. In addition, the pontiff had to take off his ring — the large gold Fisherman's ring that signifies his papal authority. The pontiff usually wears it on his right ring finger; as he left the hospital, the ring was visible on his left ring finger.

The ring, which features the figure of St. Peter casting his net from a fisherman's boat, is traditionally kissed by the faithful when they meet the pontiff in a sign of respect.

"We'll see in the next few days how he is able to carry out his functions," Lombardi said. "Surely some things will change."

Benedict has spent two summers at Les Combes in recent years. He said upon arrival that he expected to rest and work during his vacation.

His predecessor, Pope John Paul II, also spent several summers at Les Combes. While John Paul liked to hike, Benedict spends most of his time inside the chalet that looks out on Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps.

Among adults over 65, falls are the leading cause of deaths caused by injuries. The risk of falling increases significantly with age, as older people typically have more problems with eyesight, movement and balance.

Older people are also at increased risk of osteoporosis, a condition which weakens the bones and makes them easier to break — making falls more dangerous.

Bruno reported from Aosta and David from the Vatican. AP reporter Chiara Sottile contributed to this report from Rome.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2009-07-17 08:12:21

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DalTx55

07:41 PMJul 17 2009

He still looks evil.

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TrekkinBob

07:32 PMJul 17 2009

Coopsha8 06:35 PMJul 17 2009 So nice for all the mental midgets to be making rude and crude remarks about the Pope....they've nothing better to do than show their moronic ignorance. The Catholic Church has supported the Poor for centuries...............isn't it odd that christian organizations, not only Catholics, often search out people in need as easy targets for their nonsense. They often use basic needs as a carrot to get people to accept their mythological drivel. When people are starving they'll go along with anything to keep their kids from dying. This is shameless. Not all Xtian organizations do this tho. I sponsor a kid in India thru Xtian Childrens Fund. She sends me pictures she's drawn of some of her deities that make me smile.

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NYGMEN1986

07:32 PMJul 17 2009

LOL , I guess all that praying to that fictional being was all for nothing. Why does he need to go to the hospital? He can't prey it to heal lol

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Holthltknxhlt

07:32 PMJul 17 2009

Piss on the holy father LOL with my holy water.

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Bwpapoose43b

07:27 PMJul 17 2009

I broke my wrist in Nov. 08, had a case, then the rod. It was very painful, especailly maintaining the maintenance of the rob. You are limited with the rob, your hand and wrist is in a arched position. The removal of the rob was worst then the broke. I sincerely hope His Holiness has a quick recovery. God Bless Those who Bless you, God cruse those who cruse you. It's in the Bible. So those who were disrespectful, WATCH OUT.

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backipresto

07:27 PMJul 17 2009

he didn't break his wrist falling...he was trying to fist an alter boy up to his elbow and hit the poor kids pelvic bone

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Lisdog1947

07:26 PMJul 17 2009

Oh poor baby, he fell down and got a boo boo. What do you want? he's older than dirt and his bones are brittle, doesn't mean everyone should make a big deal out of it

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Hollyann313

07:14 PMJul 17 2009

We have the best religious figures and politicians money can buy.

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RDaloia294

07:08 PMJul 17 2009

Rreyn1285............I'm not saying the church is not w/o problems but you are condemning all priests and the Pope and certainly that's wrong. As per a John Jay College of Crim Justice study 2007, statistically more abuse occurs / ed within the general public and within other denominations as compared to the RCC. Now one is too many and I share your anger. But the church has done more for all faiths via hospitals, charity and education than any other of the 30,000 denominations combined for over 500 years. So channel your hatred elsewhere. I'll pray for you and the Pope

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Pjbl2223

07:02 PMJul 17 2009

Coopsha8 wrote, " ...The Catholic Church has supported the Poor for centuries...">>> of course you would like to forget the fact that it also kept education only for the priesthood and select few nobles. Until Protestant churches began spreading education to the masses. If you do not teach education to all you really ought to support those that are not educated.

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