The nun who broke protocol to mourn Pope Francis decides to speak out and breaks the silence.

A powerful image touched millions: Sister Geneviève Jeanningros, with tears in her eyes and a handkerchief in hand, broke protocol to quietly approach Pope Francis’s coffin, offering a deeply human farewell that resonated around the world. Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died on April 21 at age 88 during Easter. Known for his empathy and openness, his impact was deeply felt by those who knew him—like Sister Geneviève, who met him in 2005 after he authorized a memorial for her aunt, a victim of Argentina’s dictatorship. Their bond grew over the years, and in 2024, he visited her home in Ostia, a gesture of personal affection. On April 23, in St. Peter’s Basilica, she approached his coffin undisturbed, her presence marked by silence and emotion. Speaking to Noticias Telemundo, she called him “a great father, friend, and brother,” and said she visited his coffin for days, carrying the prayers of others. “I don’t want to talk to anyone… it’s too painful. I loved him deeply,” she said. More than 250,000 came to pay their respects, including global leaders like Trump, Prince William, Zelenskyy, and the Spanish royals. But it was Geneviève’s quiet moment that became a symbol of the love and humanity Pope Francis inspired