Nun Breaks Protocol a rare access to Pope Francis kying-in-state
During the solemn proceedings of Pope Francis's lying-in-state at St. Peter's Basilica, a poignant and unusual moment occurred, seemingly breaking with traditional Vatican protocol. Sister Geneviève Jeanningros, an 81-year-old French-Argentine nun known to be a close friend and confidante of the late pontiff for over four decades, was permitted access to the restricted area around his open casket to pay her final respects. This brief details the touching moment and the background of their long-standing relationship.
A Moment of Personal Grief
Footage captured during the first day of the lying-in-state showed Sister Geneviève, identifiable by her blue headscarf and navy attire as a member of the Little Sisters of Jesus order, being gently guided towards the Pope's coffin. Typically, access to this immediate area is reserved for cardinals, bishops, and priests involved in the official rites. However, observers noted that security personnel did not intervene, allowing the elderly nun several quiet moments to stand before the casket, visibly emotional and wiping away tears as she offered her private farewell.
A Bond Over the Decades
The allowance made for Sister Geneviève highlights the deep personal bond she shared with Pope Francis, dating back to his time as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos Aires. Their friendship was built on shared work and advocacy for the poor and marginalized. Sister Geneviève dedicated over 56 years to humanitarian efforts, particularly among disadvantaged communities in Ostia, near Rome, where she reportedly lived in a caravan until recently.
Their connection was marked by personal gestures of compassion from the Pope. Sister Geneviève previously recounted how then-Cardinal Bergoglio had personally called to console her following the forced disappearance of her aunt, also a nun, during Argentina's military dictatorship. She was known to bring marginalized individuals she served to the Pope's general audiences at the Vatican, where Francis would not only welcome them but sometimes offer financial assistance or invitations to dine.
The quiet, tearful farewell granted to Sister Geneviève Jeanningros amidst the formal solemnity of the papal lying-in-state offered a rare glimpse into the personal relationships of Pope Francis. This special access for his friend showed their strong personal connection and shared fight for social justice, a bond formed long before he became Pope.
