Nun Who Broke Protocol to Mourn Pope Francis Speaks About Deep Friendship and Emotional Goodbye

The nun who made headlines around the world for defying Vatican protocol to grieve beside Pope Francis’ coffin has now spoken publicly, shedding light on the deeply personal bond that led her to that powerful moment.

Sister Geneviève Jeanningros, a French nun and longtime friend of the late pontiff, was among millions of Catholics mourning the death of Pope Francis. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis led the Catholic Church for 12 transformative years. He passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday (April 21), following complications from a stroke.

Elected in March 2013 after the unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Francis became the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas. His papacy was defined by a progressive tone and an emphasis on inclusion, mercy, and humility — values that profoundly resonated with Sister Geneviève and helped forge their enduring friendship.

Their connection began in 2005 during a deeply personal moment in Geneviève’s life. She had traveled to Argentina for the reburial of her aunt, Leonie Duquet, a fellow French nun who disappeared and was killed during Argentina’s brutal military dictatorship in the 1970s. At the time, Bergoglio was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. He personally approved the reburial, and that encounter laid the foundation for what would become a nearly 20-year friendship rooted in shared values, empathy, and faith.

Over the years, Sister Geneviève became a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion within the Church, often engaging directly with Francis. In an unusual yet heartening development, she and a small group of LGBTQ+ individuals held regular meetings with the Pope, discussing pastoral care, acceptance, and human dignity. This ongoing dialogue was seen by many as a quiet but significant step toward a more compassionate Church.

Francis’ commitment to his friend remained strong until the end. In July of the previous year, the Pope made a private visit to Ostia, just outside Rome, to spend time with Geneviève, who was then 81 years old. Their friendship, based on deep mutual respect, defied traditional expectations of papal distance.

On Wednesday (April 23), as Pope Francis lay in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, Sister Geneviève made her way through the crowd to stand near his coffin. Despite strict Vatican rules restricting such close access to male clergy, she stepped forward, clutching a tissue and overcome with emotion. Her moment of silent farewell, captured in images and videos that went viral, symbolized the human side of Francis' papacy — one that welcomed personal relationships over rigid formality.

Witnesses say no one stopped her. For a few sacred moments, the aging nun stood alone, wiping tears from her cheeks, lost in memory and mourning.

Speaking to Noticias Telemundo on Friday (April 25), Sister Geneviève described Pope Francis in heartfelt terms: “He was a father, a friend, and a brother.” She also shared that she had visited the basilica every day to pay her respects during the public viewing period, not just during the widely shared encounter.

“Many people told me, ‘When you go to see the Pope, take us with you,’” she said. “So I cried not just for myself, but for all those who couldn’t be there. For the people who felt seen and heard by him.”

Geneviève also shared memories of her last meeting with Francis, during which she brought along Laura Esquibel, a transgender woman from Paraguay. “I was the first trans woman to shake his hand,” Laura recalled. “I've met him seven times. We even had lunch together. I liked him very much.”

The visit underscored Francis’ quiet outreach to marginalized communities, often in settings away from cameras or official announcements.

Since the funeral, Sister Geneviève has declined additional interviews, explaining that the grief remains too raw. “No, I can’t. I don’t want to talk to anyone, I’m sorry,” she told GI News. “I can’t because it’s too much, you know? I liked him a lot. That’s it.”

Over 250,000 people visited Pope Francis’ coffin during the days of mourning leading up to his funeral, while tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his final farewell. World leaders and dignitaries from across the globe were in attendance, including U.S. President Donald Trump — whose conduct during the ceremony sparked widespread criticism — UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

For many, Sister Geneviève’s quiet act of defiance and grief captured the spirit of Pope Francis’ legacy: one where compassion and human connection mattered more than rules.