Vacation for the Pope: A Slightly Broken Wrist and Waiting in Line

According to The Associated Press, "...A Vatican statement says the pope fell in his room in a nearby chalet overnight and despite the accident, celebrated Mass and had breakfast before going to the hospital...."

Pope Benedict XVI was on vacation when he broke his wrist. And, he's now out of the hospital.

The Catholic News Agency gives a little more detail. It was his right wrist, and the fracture turned out to be a small one. After Mass and breakfast, he was taken to a nearby hospital, about 12 miles away.

"...When the Pope arrived, other patients were waiting for X-rays and he insisted on waiting his turn, ANSA reports.

"Later the Pope underwent a 20-minute operation under local anesthetic to realign the fractured fragments and reduce the fracture. Benedict was then fitted with a cast which he will have to wear for about a month...." (Catholic News Agency)

The fracture wasn't all that bad, although an injured wrist is certainly not fun.

"...Doctors administered local anesthesia and put the pope's wrist in a cast, Lombardi said, adding the procedure was minor...." (CNN)

The Pope was three days into a 16-day vacation, and apparently is going back to pick up where he left off.

So, why am I spending time with a post about a minor event like this?

Mostly because I'm a Catholic, and the Holy Father is head of my church.

We don't worship the Pope - or anybody else, other than God. We do pay attention to whoever holds the authority given to Peter - which is not the same as thinking that the Pope is superhuman or never makes mistakes. The Holy Father's infallibility is a very strictly limited function. Which I see I haven't discussed yet.

This broken wrist demonstrated, rather painfully I should think, just how 'human' the Pope is.

I'm interested in these breaks in the Pope's routine for about the same reason that I'm interested in reports on the health of the president of the United States and other people in major leadership positions.

When someone is in a position of authority, that person's personal life has the potential for affecting many others. And so, those who might be affected are - naturally, I think - interested in the personal lives of presidents and Popes more often and more intensely than they are in the lives of their peers.

Vaguely related posts:

• "The Pope, Angola, and the News: No Wonder 'Everybody Knows' What Those Catholics Are Like"
  (March 22, 2009)
• " March 17, 2009
  The Pope Shouldn't Wear a Cross: Who Knew?"
  (March 17, 2009)

In the news:

• "Pope fractures wrist, undergoes successful surgery"
  Catholic News Agency (July 17, 2009)
• "Pope out of hospital, in a cast, after breaking wrist"
  CNN (July 17, 2009)
• "Pope Benedict XVI fractures wrist in a fall"
  The Associated Press (July 17, 2009)