A hospital spokesman says Pope Benedict XVI is undergoing surgery after breaking his right wrist in a fall during his vacation in the Italian Alps.

The spokesman says surgeons operated on the wrist to reduce the fracture, a procedure to realign the broken bone fragments.

He says they plan to give Benedict "light sedation," though heavier anesthesia may be given as the surgery progresses.

A Vatican statement says the 82-year-old pope fell in his room in a nearby chalet overnight and despite the accident, celebrated Mass and had breakfast before going to the hospital.

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