Nun who broke protocol to stand by Pope Francis' coffin is long-time friend who lives in trailer

This is the heartbreaking moment an elderly nun was allowed to break protocol to stand by her close friend's Coffin at St Peter's Basilica. Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, a French-Argentine nun, attended the first day of and was captured approaching a restricted area, which is traditionally reserved for bishops, priests and cardinals.

However, the 81-year-old was given permission to pray there due to the close bond they had. The heartfelt footage, which went viral on social media, shows the nun stepping towards a red rope surrounding the coffin with the assistance of an official.

She stood quietly to the side of the casket before bursting into tears. She takes a moment to compose herself, wipes away the tears with a tissue, and briefly remains to pay her respects.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Despite the potential security breach, no officials came forward to stop the nun, who was allowed her to say farewell to her close friend. Their close relationship started when Francis was Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

The Pope had personally visited Jeanningros in Ostia, Rome, in July to praise her humanitarian work. The pair met at Luna Park fairground, which showed the Pope's respect for the nun who has spent more than 56 years helping the most disadvantaged people. She lives in a trailer on the outskirts of the Italian capital, according to local media.

"The nun has known the pope for some time, she wrote to him shortly after his election, recalling the story of a missionary aunt in who disappeared during the 'Dirty War,'" reports Vatican News. "The correspondence has never stopped and Francis, in an audience with street artists, even wished her a happy birthday."

She was among tens of thousands of mourners have waited hours in line to bid farewell to Francis, who died Monday after suffering a stroke at the age of 88. A higher-than-expected turnout prompted the Vatican to extend the basilica’s opening hours overnight.

By Thursday evening, more than 90,000 mourners had filed past Francis’ open coffin placed in front of the basilica’s main altar.

St. Peter’s Basilica remained open until around 3 a.m. Friday and closed for just a few hours before reopening for mourners who started arriving before dawn. The public viewing is scheduled to end at 7 p.m., after which Francis simple wooden coffin will be sealed.

It comes as heads of state and royalty will start converging on Rome on Friday for the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square. US President and Argentine President Javier Milei are among the leaders arriving Friday, the last day Argentine pope will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica before his coffin is sealed in the evening in preparation for his funeral Saturday.

The Vatican said 130 delegations are confirmed, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns.