A moving image traveled the world and became a symbol of humanity and closeness: a visibly moved nun approached Pope Francis’s coffin in a spontaneous gesture that moved millions.
It was Sister Geneviève Jeanningros, who, breaking with usual Vatican protocol, wanted to bid farewell in silence, holding a handkerchief and with tears in her eyes. Now, she has shared publicly for the first time what that moment meant to her.
Francis, whose birth name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on April 21, at the age of 88, during the Easter celebrations. His legacy as a spiritual leader, marked by empathy, inclusion, and openness, left a lasting impression on people around the world, especially those who knew him closely, like Sister Geneviève.
The relationship between the two dates back to 2005, when the nun traveled to Buenos Aires to participate in a memorial service for her aunt, Leonie Duquet, who disappeared during the Argentine dictatorship. At that time, Bergoglio, as archbishop, authorized the symbolic act, thus beginning a close relationship that would last for years.
Since then, she became a regular figure in his entourage, sharing personal encounters and even bringing along representatives of communities she has actively advocated for.
One of the most significant moments occurred last year, when Pope Francis traveled to Ostia to visit her at her residence, in a gesture that reflected their mutual appreciation.
The moment that left a lasting mark on so many took place on April 23 in St. Peter’s Basilica. Although protocol limited access to the coffin, Geneviève approached without interruption, and her presence was received with respect. The silence, the emotion, and the sincerity of her gesture spoke for themselves.
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Speaking to Noticias Telemundo, the sister described the Pope as “a great father, a great friend, a great brother,” and recounted that she visited his coffin for several days as a sign of farewell.
She also shared that she carried the prayers of many people who, unable to attend, asked her to remember them in that final farewell.
One of her most cherished memories was her visit with Laura Esquibel, a Paraguayan woman, who emotionally recounted having had the opportunity to meet with Francis on several occasions: “I saw him seven times, we had lunch together. I liked him very much,” she commented.
Since the funeral, Geneviève has chosen to keep a low profile. In her own words: “I don’t want to talk to anyone… it’s too painful. I loved him deeply, that’s all.”
More than 250,000 people gathered at the basilica to pay homage to the pontiff, and St. Peter’s Square was filled with faithful, public figures, and world leaders, including Donald Trump, Prince William, Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the King and Queen of Spain, Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
The image of Geneviève bidding farewell to Pope Francis became a symbol of genuine affection and the spiritual imprint he left on those who knew him. It was a moment that transcended protocol and reminded the world of the deeply human dimension of religious leadership.
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