Holy Week is a time when the pope would be expected to be front and center of events. But as Francis continues to recover from double pneumonia, observers are on the lookout for surprise appearances.

Pope Francis made a short and unannounced visit Saturday to St. Peter's Basilica to pray before this evening's Easter vigil and greeted some of the faithful present.

Pope Francis went into St. Peter's Basilica to pray before the Easter Vigil this evening and greeted some faithful present, Vatican News reported.

According to the Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center’s outlook, precipitation levels are expected to remain above normal from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic through the end of April, especially for Northeast Texas, North Louisiana, Arkansas, eastern Oklahoma and southern Missouri.

Severe storms pummeling an area stretching from the South to the Northeast could put a damper on many people’s Easter weekend travel plans.

The days of the Holy Week have not changed in recent tradition: Easter always falls on a Sunday, and the standard definition is that Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full Moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox.

Retailers like Costco and Target will be closed, but many grocery stores will remain open. Banks, the stock market and post offices are always closed on Sundays