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.

According to the Vatican, the pope met with approximately 70 inmates who regularly participate in activities and catechesis organized by prison’s chaplaincy.

The Argentinian pope is entering his fourth week of convalescence during which doctors have advised him to avoid crowds.