Pope Benedict fractures wrist - prayers asked

New York Times:

Pope Benedict XVI fractured his right wrist in a fall Friday morning while on vacation in northern Italy, the Vatican said.

In a statement, the Vatican said that the pope had slipped in his room in the chalet where he is staying in the mountainous Valle d’Aosta region, but was well enough to eat breakfast and celebrate Mass before being taken by car to the local hospital.

“It’s nothing serious,” the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said in a telephone interview . He said that the pope’s wrist had been “immobilized.”

Doctors operated on the pope’s wrist for about 20 minutes, Reuters reported, and he will have to wear a cast for about a month.

Whispers has several updates, including that the Holy Father has been released from the hospital. 

I thought this was admirable:

Italian news footage shows pope walked inside hospital emergency room with his aides.

Pope insisted he get no special treatment at hospital. He waited his turn for X-ray, operating room.

Well, he's first in line for my prayers today.