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 important liturgical services leading up to Easter.

Although the pontiff has begun meeting with more people, he remains frail and will not lead important Easter events, the Vatican announced.

Francis met for nearly a half-hour with some 70 inmates at the Regina Caeli prison in Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood, the AP reported. (Salvatore Cernuzio)