Sister Janengros' Visit at the Pope's Coffin Draws Attention on Social Media
Exception Made as Only Male Clergy Are Traditionally Allowed Near the Pope's Coffin
A nun who visited on the first day of public mourning for Pope Francis has drawn attention. Traditionally, only men are allowed near the Pope's coffin, but this nun was granted an exceptional allowance due to her special friendship with the Pope.
On April 25 (local time), Vatican News reported on Sister Genevieve Janengros, an 81-year-old nun from France, who visited St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on April 23 to pay her respects to the Pope.
At the time, security personnel did not stop Sister Janengros, and she tearfully bid farewell to the Pope. In fact, an official even helped her approach the coffin more closely.
The image of the nun, standing just over 150 cm tall, with a green backpack, worn shoes, a blue scarf, and a navy habit, weeping in the traditionally male-only area, became a major topic on social networking services (SNS).
Traditionally, only male clergy such as cardinals, bishops, and priests are permitted near the Pope's coffin. However, it appears that an exception was made in consideration of the decades-long friendship between Sister Janengros and Pope Francis.
Sister Janengros belongs to the international religious order the Little Sisters of Jesus and has devoted more than 56 years to serving marginalized groups in the Ostia area of Rome.
The two first became acquainted when Pope Francis was Archbishop of Buenos Aires and Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina. Their shared commitment to helping victims of Argentina's military dictatorship and supporting the socially vulnerable formed the foundation of a friendship that has lasted for decades.
Pope Francis and Sister Janengros often spoke on the phone or offered each other support. Pope Francis affectionately called Sister Janengros "L'enfant terrible," jokingly referring to her as a "terrible child."
In July last year, Pope Francis even visited Ostia in person to commend Sister Janengros for her humanitarian work.
Sister Janengros politely declined numerous media interview requests. Instead, through Vatican News, she stated, "I did not wish to boast about my special relationship with the Pope; I simply wanted to pay my respects to a great Pope."
She added, "He was like a father, a brother, and a friend," recalling, "Everyone will miss him."
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