(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.