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Pope 'Can't Pray' Thanks to Broken Wrist

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 18, 2009 7:11 PM CDT

(Newser) – Pope Benedict XVI's broken wrist kept him from joining his hands in prayer as he celebrated Mass today, AFP reports. "What pains him the most is to be no longer able to bless with his right hand and to be no longer able to clasp his hands together," said one of his closest officials. His cast also keeps him from writing a follow-up to his 2007 book, Jesus of Nazareth. "The pope already had the text's structure outlined in his head."

The German-born pope, 82, still plans to recite an evening prayer tomorrow in the Piedmont region, where 10,000 are expected to attend. And he will continue his 2-week holiday in northern Italy until the end of July. The pontiff had pins placed in his wrist after breaking it in a fall yesterday. "Some suffering is not a bad thing," his official said.

Pope Benedict XVI greets hospital staff as he leaves the Regional Hospital after a surgery on his right wrist, seen in a cast, in Aosta, northern Italy, Friday, July 17, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI greets hospital staff as he leaves the Regional Hospital after a surgery on his right wrist, seen in a cast, in Aosta, northern Italy, Friday, July 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho)
Pope Benedict XVI walks with his personal aide Rev. Georg Gaenswein in the Italian Alps in Les Combes, near Aosta, northern Italy, Saturday, July 18, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI walks with his personal aide Rev. Georg Gaenswein in the Italian Alps in Les Combes, near Aosta, northern Italy, Saturday, July 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano, HO)
Pope Benedict XVI waves from his car as he leaves the Regional Hospital in Aosta, Italy, Friday, July 17, 2009, after surgery on his right wrist.
Pope Benedict XVI waves from his car as he leaves the Regional Hospital in Aosta, Italy, Friday, July 17, 2009, after surgery on his right wrist.   (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
A cast is seen on Pope Benedict XVI's right arm as he leaves the Regional Hospital in Aosta, Italy, Friday, July 17 2009, after surgery on his right wrist.
A cast is seen on Pope Benedict XVI's right arm as he leaves the Regional Hospital in Aosta, Italy, Friday, July 17 2009, after surgery on his right wrist.   (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Pope Benedict XVI is seen wearing a cast on his right arm as he goes for a walk in Les Combes, near Aosta, northern Italy, Saturday, July 18, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI is seen wearing a cast on his right arm as he goes for a walk in Les Combes, near Aosta, northern Italy, Saturday, July 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano, HO)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 13 comments
wwwonderer
Jul 20, 2009 5:02 AM CDT
Why doesn't God heal it supper quick so no blessings will be missed?
metalworldorder
Jul 19, 2009 12:55 PM CDT
The man is the head of the largest Christian organization in the world. I think he might be inclined to use his hands while blessing people. The article never says he "Can't pray." Honestly, I think people have a knee-jerk reaction to Catholicism where everyone feels the need to bash it.
MarkFL
Jul 19, 2009 12:46 PM CDT
The sequel to Jesus of Nazareth: Jesus 2- Electric Boogaloo.

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