Pope Benedict underwent a medical examination on his broken wrist today which showed the injury is healing well, the Vatican said.

The 82-year-old Catholic leader slipped in the bath and broke his right wrist eight days ago while on holiday in northern Italy.

A team of doctors, including the Pope's personal physician and the surgeon who operated on his wrist, conducted clinical and x-ray tests on Saturday close to the chalet where Benedict is staying in the Aosta Valley, near the French border.

"The medical tests showed that the development is good and corresponds to what was expected," Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican's chief spokesman, said in a statement.

The Vatican has said the Pope will need to wear a cast on his wrist for about one month. Lombardi said Pope Benedict would celebrate his weekly Angelus blessing as usual tomorrow, in a meadow close to his residence.

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