The nun who defied protocol to grieve the late Pope Francis at his coffin has shared her thoughts on the viral incident.
Sister Geneviève Jeanningros is among the multitude of Catholics worldwide mourning Pope Francis’ death.
Francis, originally named Jorge Mario Bergoglio, led the Catholic Church for 12 years before succumbing to a stroke at 88 on Easter Monday, April 21.
He became pope on March 13, 2013, a mere 13 days after Pope Benedict resigned due to age-related reasons.
The relationship between Sister Geneviève and Francis dates back years before his papal duties, as they had a friendship spanning decades since their first encounter in 2005, as noted by PEOPLE.
The French nun met him while in Buenos Aires for her aunt Leonie Duquet’s burial; Duquet was also a nun, and Sister Geneviève encountered Francis, then Archbishop of Buenos Aires, during her visit.
He approved Duquet’s re-burial, who passed away in the 1970s under the country’s dictatorship.
Geneviève, known for her work with the LGBTQ+ community, formed a friendship with Francis, meeting him weekly with LGBTQ+ community members.
Last July, Francis traveled to Ostia to visit his 81-year-old friend.
On April 23, as the late pope lay in state at St Peter’s Basilica, Sister Geneviève broke Vatican protocol to bid farewell.
At the time, the public was not allowed inside; entry was reserved for male cardinals, priests, and bishops to pay respects.
Nevertheless, the nun was seen near the casket wiping her tears, a poignant moment that quickly spread on social media.
According to NBC News, she was not stopped, allowing her private moments to mourn.
Geneviève later discussed the event, speaking to Noticias Telemundo at the Vatican on April 25, before the pope’s funeral.
In the brief interview, she described Francis as a ‘Father, a friend and a brother.’
She also mentioned that she paid her respects daily, not just when captured in the viral clip.
Explaining her emotional state, the Sister shared with the Vatican press service: “Many people told me: when you go to see the Pope, take us with you.”
“I cried for them too.”
During her last visit with the pope, she brought Laura Esquibel, a trans woman from Paraguay, who shared: “I was the first trans woman to shake his hand. I’ve seen him seven times, we had lunch together. I liked him a lot.”
However, the grieving Sister has since declined further interviews, expressing difficulty in discussing her loss.
“No, I can’t. I don’t want to talk to anyone, I’m sorry. I can’t because it’s too much, you know? I liked him a lot, that’s it,” she told GI.
Over 250,000 mourners visited the late pope before his funeral, while many more gathered in the holy city for his final farewell at St Peter’s Square, including royalty, dignitaries, and global leaders.
This included US President Donald Trump, whose conduct drew criticism compared to the nun’s somber demeanor, as well as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.