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

A convalescing Pope Francis has greeted the crowd in St_ Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, wishing more than 20,000 faithful a “Good Palm Sunday, a good Holy Week."

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.