The Vatican on Thursday opened the most solemn period of Holy Week with a recovering Pope Francis largely on the sidelines, as cardinals were designated to take his place presiding over the most

Pope Francis made his first public appearance since being discharged from hospital two weeks ago after treatment for double pneumonia, entering St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in a wheelchair on Sunday to greet cheering crowds.

Pope Francis may be on the mend, but as Easter nears, Catholic faithful are wondering how much of the celebrations the 88-year-old will be able to take part in after battling life-threatening pneumonia.