Featured Image Credit: The Vatican Media
Topics: Pope Francis, World News
Mia Williams
The nun who was spotted breaking Vatican protocol has spoken out about her close relationship with Pope Francis after attending his funeral.
Thousands of people from all over the world gathered to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday (26 April), who died of a stroke on Easter Monday (20 April).
Presidents, prime ministers and cardinals mourned the death of his holiness, including Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US president Donald Trump, and future King of England Prince William.
Trump and Zelenskyy sat down in Saint Peter’s Basilica for a short meeting ahead of the funeral - the first time the two had been seen together since that awkward clash in the White House.
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But it seems the humble pope was less bothered about having a star-studded guest list at his funeral, after welcoming 'poor and marginalised' people who always had a special place in Pope Francis' heart, to pay their final respects too.
One of the less-known people in attendance was 81-year-old sister Genevieve Jeanningros, a French-Argentine nun who was very close with the late pope.
Days before the funeral, captured in heartfelt footage that has since gone viral on social media, the elderly lady approached a restricted area around his coffin while he was lying in state, which was traditionally reserved for bishops, priests and cardinals.
However, due to her close bond with the late pope, she had been granted access to pray for him there.
With the assistance of an official, she was able to get as close as possible while she held a handkerchief to dry her tears.
The nun has now spoken out about their relationship, following the headlines that were made about her.
Speaking in a short Spanish interview, she described Francis as 'a brother, a pope, [and] a friend'.
"He will be missed by everyone," she added. "And I'm moved to see so many people here today."
The 81-year-old noted that she had been paying her respects every single day since his passing, not just on the day the clip went viral.
In July 2024, he visited her personally in Rome to praise her efforts of humanitarian work, as well as her work with the local LGBTQ+ community.
But their close and long-time friendship began when Francis was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
According to local media, sister Jeanningros has dedicated her entire career of 56 years to helping the most disadvantaged people in society.
It's also reported that she lives in a small trailer on the outskirts of the Italian capital.