Pope breaks wrist after falling

Pope Benedict XVI has fractured his right wrist after falling while on holiday in northern Italy, the Vatican and hospital officials say.

The 82-year-old Pope went to hospital in the alpine town of Aosta after the accident early on Friday.He underwent an operation to reduce the fracture and a top regional official said the procedure went well.The Vatican said Pope Benedict fell during the night in his chalet and that the injury was not serious.In a statement, it said the pontiff celebrated Mass and ate breakfast before going to hospital.

The operation, performed under local anaesthetic, went well, the president of the Val d'Aosta region said in televised remarks quoted by AFP news agency.He has been staying at a house in the village of Les Combes in the Valle d'Aosta region. It was a favourite vacation spot of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

(BBC)