A nun, Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, 81, gained widespread attention for disregarding customary rules to stand by the casket of Pope Francis. She recently shared her emotional experience of shedding tears beside his coffin during the Pope’s lying-in-state at St Peter’s Basilica.
Sister Genevieve, a French-Argentine nun, was permitted to enter the restricted zone at the Basilica, typically reserved for high-ranking clergy, due to her longstanding friendship with the Pope dating back to his time as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires.
In a video that went viral, the nun was captured wiping away tears with a tissue as she paid her respects. Recalling her visit to the casket, she mentioned feeling overwhelmed by the requests she had received from others to convey their regards.
Having visited St. Peter’s Basilica four times, Sister Genevieve recounted how people had asked her to convey their well-wishes to the Pope. On her most recent visit, she was accompanied by Laura Esquibel, a trans woman who had a personal connection with Pope Francis, reminiscing about their interactions and shared meals.
Despite being inundated with interview requests following her viral moment, Sister Genevieve declined all offers, citing her difficulty in discussing the topic due to her deep admiration for the Pope. She expressed her fondness for him and her inability to articulate her feelings to the press.
Approximately 250,000 individuals paid their respects to Pope Francis during the three-day lying-in-state leading up to his funeral, as confirmed by the Vatican. World leaders and dignitaries began arriving in Rome for the upcoming requiem mass in St Peter’s Square.
After the public funeral on Saturday, Pope Francis’ remains will be interred in accordance with his wishes at the basilica of Saint Mary Major, departing from traditional burial practices. An opportunity was provided for the final mourners to view the Pope up close in the majestic setting of St Peter’s Basilica before his coffin was privately sealed.
For live coverage of the funeral, you can follow the event through the provided link.