The Vatican is celebrating Easter without Pope Francis presiding. VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican celebrated Easter on Sunday without Pope Francis presiding, as the 88-year-old pontiff continues his recovery from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia.

Pope Francis emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless people in St. Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the square.

Pope Francis entered St. Peter's Square on Sunday in an open-air popemobile for the first time since surviving double pneumonia, greeting tens of thousands of Catholics after the Vatican's celebration of Easter Mass.