Pope breaks wrist, has surgery, leaves smiling

(July 18, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI waved reassuringly to well-wishers outside a hospital where he underwent surgery to set his right wrist, fractured when he fell in his Alpine vacation chalet. The 82-year-old pope's overnight accident was the first significant medical issue of his 4-year-old papacy, but doctors said Friday he would suffer no long-term effects and would be able to return to playing piano and writing once the wrist heals. His cast will be removed in a month. The pontiff's first public appearance of his mountain holiday is scheduled for Sunday in Ivrea, the hometown of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, where he is to deliver his traditional Sunday blessing. “We hope that his remaining schedule can be preserved,” Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi told Vatican Radio. Despite the accident, the right-handed pope celebrated Mass and had breakfast before going to the hospital, according to a Vatican statement. After an X-ray showed the fracture, surgeons performed a successful, 20-minute operation under local anesthesis to treat the fracture in the right wrist. The Pontiff left the hospital about six hours after arriving, greeting doctors and nurses, and smiling and waving with his left arm before climbing into his car. His right arm hung straight by his side, the cast hidden by his white vestments. He returned to his mountain retreat in full police escort to continue his vacation. The pope was accompanied by his personal physician, Dr. Patrizio Polisca, who said in a statement that Pope Benedict's general health was good. 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 while on vacation. Father Lombardi, the Vatican spokesperson, said Pope Benedict had slipped in his room at the chalet and was hurt, but that it did not seem serious.