At Pope Francis’s funeral, an unexpected scene unfolded as an 81-year-old nun broke with tradition to pay her respects. Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, a French-Argentine nun, had a decades-long bond with the Pope. Before he was known as the Bishop of Rome, they had met and built a friendship rooted in their shared mission to help the less fortunate.
On April 23, 2025, Pope Francis’s body was moved to St. Peter’s Basilica, where over 20,000 mourners quietly applauded. As cardinals paid their respects, Sister Genevieve, who was not supposed to be near the pope’s coffin, bypassed protocol and stood close to it. Wearing a blue headscarf and a navy habit, she gently approached the casket and, upon seeing his body, was overcome with emotion. Tears streamed down her face as she stood quietly, reflecting on their lifelong connection.
Her act of mourning didn’t go unnoticed, sparking a wave of emotional reactions online. Many praised her courage, saying there were no rules when it came to grief. One person commented, “In a state of mourn, there is no such protocol.”
Sister Genevieve’s relationship with Pope Francis began two decades ago, after her aunt, Léonie Duquet, was a victim of Argentina’s brutal dictatorship. Her aunt’s tragic death during the “death flights” in 1977 marked a turning point in her life. Pope Francis, then bishop of Buenos Aires, had helped give her aunt a proper burial years later. Their bond grew over time, marked by shared faith, service to others, and personal loss.
Just months before the pope’s death, Sister Genevieve had been part of a visit to Pope Francis, who had expressed gratitude for her unwavering dedication to helping marginalized communities. Their friendship deepened during the pandemic, when she asked for his support for those suffering from financial hardships and those on the fringes of society.
When the pope passed away on April 21, 2025, after a stroke, Sister Genevieve was present at the funeral, despite the formal restrictions. Her tearful tribute by the coffin symbolized a bond shaped by decades of mutual respect, faith, and service to the most vulnerable. It was a fitting farewell to a pope who had championed humility and compassion above all else.