Pope Francis pays surprise visit to Rome prison

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis, still recovering from double pneumonia, paid a surprise visit on Thursday, April 17, 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.

Francis was greeted...