Sister Geneviève Jeanningros, breaking with Vatican etiquette, wanted to say goodbye in silence, holding a handkerchief and crying in her eyes. She has now spoken up publicly for the first time about how that moment affected her.
Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died on April 21, at the age of 88, during Easter ceremonies. His legacy as a spiritual leader, characterized by empathy, inclusivity, and openness, had a lasting impact on people all throughout the world, particularly those who knew him well, such as Sister Geneviève.
The two’s friendship began in 2005, when the nun flew to Buenos Aires to attend a memorial service for her aunt, Leonie Duquet, who disappeared during the Argentine dictatorship. Bergoglio, as archbishop at the time, approved the symbolic act, kicking off a long-term connection.
Since then, she has become a regular member of his entourage, sharing personal encounters and even inviting members from areas she has actively worked for. One of the most crucial occasions came last year, when Pope Francis traveled to Ostia to pay her a visit at her home, demonstrating their shared appreciation.
On April 23, a moment occurred in St. Peter’s Basilica that will live in the hearts of many. Despite the fact that protocol restricted access to the casket, Geneviève approached without interruption and was treated with dignity. Her gesture spoke for itself by its stillness, emotion, and sincerity.
Speaking with Noticias Telemundo, the sister praised the Pope as “a great father, a great friend, a great brother,” and said she spent many days visiting his coffin as a farewell.
She also stated that she carried the prayers of many individuals who were unable to attend and begged her to remember them in their final farewell. One of her most treasured recollections was a visit with Laura Esquibel, a Paraguayan woman who emotionally described meeting Francis on multiple occasions: “I saw him seven times, and we had lunch together. “I liked him very much,” she said.
Geneviève has chosen to keep a quiet profile following the funeral. In her own words: “I don’t want to talk to anyone.” It’s too painful. I loved him profoundly, that’s all.”
More than 250,000 people came at the basilica to pay their respects to the pontiff, and St. Peter’s Square was packed with faithful, public personalities, and world leaders such as 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 came to represent true affection and the spiritual mark he left on all who knew him. It was a moment that went beyond convention and reminded the world about the extremely human side of religious leadership.