Pope Breaks Wrist In Holiday Fall

Pope Benedict has slipped in the bath and broken his wrist but aides say there's no cause for concern about the 82-year-old pontiff's health.

Crowds gathered outside a hospital in the Italian city of Aosta after news of Pope Benedict's injury spread.

The 82-year-old Pontiff hurt his arm while holidaying in a mountain chalet.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) VATICAN SPOKESMAN FATHER FEDERICO LOMBARDI SAYING:

'Following a fall in his room last night the Holy Father sustained a light fracture of the right wrist. This morning the Holy Father nonetheless celebrated mass and then breakfast before being accompanied to the hospital of Aosta where he was discovered to have a light fracture. The wrist was immediately immobilised.'

The Pope is on a two week holiday in the Italian Alps.

He arrived four days ago.

The Vatican says his injury is "nothing serious."

But tourists in Rome did express some concern.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) CANADIAN TOURIST JOEY SHREIDER SAYING:

'I feel terrible the Pope had an accident, it's too bad that he had it but thank God it is nothing serious and within no time he will be back and feeling the way he should be and we wish the best for him.'

(SOUNDBITE) (English) IRISH ARCHBISHOP DERMOTT CLIFFORD SAYING:

'I'm very sorry to hear the Holy Father is injured, we'll be praying for him that he makes a quick and speedy full recovery.'

(SOUNDBITE) (English) VATICAN JOURNALIST ANNA ARTYMIAK SAYING:

'I think he worked a lot, he is very tired and that is why this happened.'

The Pope's injured arm has been put in a cast but he's expected to continue his holiday as planned.

Sonia Legg, Reuters