The nun who made headlines for breaking protocol to honor Pope Francis at his funeral has now spoken publicly about the emotional experience.
Among the millions mourning the death of Pope Francis was his longtime friend, Sister Geneviève Jeanningros. Francis—born Jorge Mario Bergoglio—led the Catholic Church for 12 years before passing away from a stroke on Easter Monday, April 21, at age 88.
Elected in March 2013 following Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, Francis was widely admired for championing inclusivity, a quality that deeply resonated with Sister Geneviève.
Their friendship began in 2005 when Geneviève traveled to Buenos Aires for the funeral of her aunt, Leonie Duquet—a fellow nun who had died during Argentina’s dictatorship in the 1970s. Then-Archbishop Bergoglio had approved the reburial, and the meeting sparked a bond that would span nearly two decades.
The two grew close, with Geneviève becoming a staunch advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She regularly met with Francis each week alongside a group of LGBTQ+ individuals. As recently as last July, Francis visited the now 81-year-old nun at her home in Ostia.
Despite Vatican restrictions allowing only male clergy to approach the Pope’s casket, Sister Geneviève made her way to Francis’ side on Wednesday, April 23, while he lay in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, determined to say her personal goodbye.
A poignant moment captured on camera and shared widely online showed her standing beside the casket, tearfully dabbing her eyes with a tissue. NBC News reported that no one intervened, allowing her a private moment of mourning.
Speaking to Noticias Telemundo at the Vatican on Friday, April 25, Geneviève described Francis as “a father, a friend, and a brother.” She also revealed that she had been visiting his casket daily during the public viewing.
“Many people asked me to take their love with me when I visited him,” she said in a statement to the Vatican’s press agency. “So I cried for them, too.”
Geneviève also reflected on her final meeting with Francis, where she brought along a transgender woman from Paraguay named Laura Esquibel. “I was the first trans woman to shake his hand,” Laura recalled. “We had lunch together. I’ve seen him seven times. He was wonderful.”
Since the funeral, Sister Geneviève has declined further interviews, citing her grief. “I just can’t,” she told GI. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to speak to anyone. It’s just too much. I really loved him.”
Before the funeral service, nearly 250,000 people visited Francis’ casket, and an even larger crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his final farewell. Among those present were world leaders and dignitaries, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prince William, and U.S. President Donald Trump—whose behavior during the ceremony drew sharp criticism.