Pope: Broken wrist may be God's work

LES COMBES, Italy, July 29 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI said Wednesday he may have broken his wrist during his summer vacation in northern Italy because God wanted to humble him.

The pope talked about his mishap during a farewell message to local officials, police and others in Les Combes, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. He left Wednesday for a stay at Castelgandolfo, the papal summer residence outside Rome.

''My guardian angel didn't prevent my mishap, certainly on orders from on high,'' Benedict said. ''Perhaps the Lord wanted to teach me more patience and humility to give me more time for prayer and meditation.''

Benedict told officials and police they have also been "guardian angels" to him during his stay.

Les Combes, in the mountains near the northern border of Italy, was also a favorite summer retreat for Pope John Paul II.