An elderly nun and close friend of Pope Francis for over four decades was allowed to break protocol while visiting his coffin at St Peter’s Basilica.

French-Argentine nun, Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, was seen in footage from the first day of Francis’ lying-in-state approaching a restricted area to pray before the coffin of the late Pontiff.

The area is traditionally reserved for cardinals, bishops, and priests, but the 81-year-old was permitted to grieve there due to the close friendship they had shared.

Clips of the heartfelt moment circulating on social media show Jeanningros stepping toward a red rope surrounding the coffin with the assistance of an official, who guides her forward.

Dressed in a blue headscarf and navy attire, the nun, who Francis affectionately nicknamed ‘L’enfant terrible’ – translating to the terrible child, stood quietly to one side of the open casket.

In a moment of raw emotion, she burst into tears and brings her hands to her face, as she stands just feet away from the body of the late Pope. Taking a tissue, she wipes her eyes and remains in place for a moment.

Despite breaking what is traditionally regarded as protocol, no security official intervened, allowing Francis’ close friend an intimate moment of farewell.

In July, the Pope had personally visited Jeanningros in Ostia, Rome, to acknowledge her longstanding humanitarian work.