Catholics prepare for an unusual Easter, with Pope Francis out of view

VATICAN CITY – The Catholic Church starts its busiest week of the year on Sunday with the countdown to Easter, but Pope Francis remains out of public view after surviving double pneumonia and it is unclear whether he will take any part in the celebrations.

Doctors have prescribed the 88-year-old pontiff two months of rest to allow his ageing body to fully heal, meaning he may spend much or all of Holy Week — when Christians recall Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection — out of public view.