Pope Francis visits Regina Coeli prison in Rome, Italy April 17, 2025. Vatican Media/Handout Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis, still recovering from double pneumonia, paid a surprise visit on Thursday to Rome's Regina Coeli, one of Italy's most overcrowded prisons, to offer well-wishes to inmates ahead of Easter.
The 88-year-old pontiff, gradually making more public appearances as he recovers from the biggest health crisis in his 12-year papacy, made a short foray outside of the Vatican, as the prison is only about a five-minute drive away.
