A report on Sister Geneviève, the Vatican's buddy, who welcome-ed the underprivileged, holidaymakers, and transgender individuals to the sacred halls.
Hangin' with the Saints: The Remarkable Life of Sister Geneviève
Sis Gen, the People's Nun, Breaks Protocol to Pay Respects at Pope Francis' Wake
(Our website.es / RAQUEL GONZÁLEZ, TVE's Special Correspondent in Rome)
At 82, Sister Geneviève Jeannigros has devoted her life to the downtrodden, the marginalized, and the forgotten. This diminutive powerhouse caught the world's attention when she disregarded the rules and tearfully approached Pope Francis' coffin in St. Peter's Basilica during the public wake, with nobody stopping her.
A Powerful Friendship Built on Faith and Kindness
Sister Geneviève and Francis shared a deep bond, a common vocation to help the less fortunate, and a connection that traces back to Argentina's dark period of military rule. Sister Geneviève, a nun of the Little Sisters of Jesus from French heritage, is the niece of Léonie Duquet, another nun friend of Francis who mysteriously disappeared during that period. This chilling episode left a lasting impact on Jorge Bergoglio, then the provincial of the Argentine Jesuits.
Bold as Brass: A Nun Busts Through Protocol to Bid Farewell to Her Pope Friend
(SARA GÓMEZ ARMAS, Vatican Special Correspondent)
Since September, Sister Geneviève has been residing at the Arco di Travertino convent in Rome due to her advanced age, but for five decades prior, she called a caravan among the circus performers of Ostia, a working-class neighborhood on the outskirts of the Italian capital, home. Patrizia, her neighbor, remember her fondly as "a beautiful, kind person with a huge heart, wonderful with everyone."
The Margins of the World Come Together to Pay Their Respects to Francis: "He Built a Church for All"
Sister Geneviève wasn't just a nun who lived near Ostia; she was a force that brought change to the community. She brought some of the circus performers to several of Francis' public audiences in the Vatican and even managed to secure a visit from the Pope to the humble neighborhood in 2015 and 2024. According to Patrizia, they had quite the party each time.
A Nun's Unwavering Commitment to Helping the Down-and-Out Community
Whether it was the vendors, circus workers, or disadvantaged families of Ostia, Sister Geneviève made sure they knew they had someone in their corner. She also dedicated her time to the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender women who were often forced into prostitution. With the help of Father Giovanni, she opened the doors of the Vatican to them.
Giovanni's Memories of the Extraordinary Life and Friendship of Sister Geneviève
Father Giovanni remembers how Sister Geneviève used her connections in the Vatican, including Cardinal Krajewski, to secure food, clothes, and even financial assistance for the community during the pandemic. Moreover, she advocated for the LGBTQ+ community and established a project to assist transgender individuals living in poverty.
The Powerful Legacy of Pope Francis: Progress and Controversies
Sister Geneviève and Father Giovanni are now working on a project to help transgender communities in need, with the express support of the Vatican. Despite the challenges they faced, Sister Geneviève remains optimistic about the future, hoping that the next pontiff will continue to support their endeavors.
The Ties that Bound Sister Geneviève and Pope Francis
According to Father Giovanni, the two became friends shortly after Francis was appointed as cardinal, following a letter Sister Geneviève wrote to reproach him for the Argentine Catholic Church's inaction during the military dictatorship. Their friendship deepened, and the two often met during Francis' tenure as Pope. Tragically, Léonie Duquet, Sister Geneviève's aunt and a close friend of Francis, was kidnapped and murdered during the military dictatorship.
Sister Geneviève's Heartfelt Farewell to Her Dear Friend
Despite the strict protocols in place during Pope Francis' funeral, reports indicate that Sister Geneviève was granted a rare exception to approach his coffin to bid her friend farewell. Father Giovanni explained that Sister Geneviève's actions were not a demonstration of special treatment but rather an expression of deep sorrow and emotional connection to her friend.
Sources:[1] las2orillas.com[2] elpais.com[3] bbc.com[4] telegraph.co.uk[5] therightscoop.com
- Sister Geneviève Jeannigros, affectionately known as Sis Gen, has inherited a steadfast dedication to serving the underprivileged and marginalized, averaging over five decades of helping those in need.
- In 2024, the lifestyle of individuals in Ostia, a neighborhood near Rome, is expected to undergo a significant transformation, as Pope Francis plans a visit, partly due to the persistent efforts of Sister Geneviévê, who has a strong influence in the fashion-and-beauty and education-and-self-development sectors within her community.
- Sister Geneviève's dedicated work extends beyond Ostia; she is also a champion for personal growth and mindfulness, offering support to transgender women by opening doors to resources and opportunities in the realm of personal-growth workshops.
- Following in the footsteps of her formidable friend, Pope Francis, Sister Geneviève has been working tirelessly on a project aimed at providing assistance to the underprivileged members of the transgender community, reflecting her shared commitment to spreading compassion and kindness.
- As a testament to her unwavering commitment to helping others, Sister Geneviève's actions at Pope Francis' funeral, in which she disregarded protocol to pay her respects, demonstrate a deep bond between the two, cementing the importance of friendship and empathy in guiding our path towards a better lifestyle.
