Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, a longtime friend of Pope Francis, was one of the firsts to pay their last respect to the pontiff when his body was transferred to Saint Peter's Basilica. Screenshot from Vatican Media

Amid towering men in their swishing clerical dress stood a quiet figure of a woman, weeping in vigil before the mortal remains of the pope.

Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, a longtime friend of Pope Francis, was one of the firsts to pay their last respect to the pontiff when his body was transferred to Saint Peter's Basilica.

The pope's body was still surrounded by high-ranking cardinals, bishops, canons, and members of the pontifical household at that time.

But Vatican aides allowed Sister Genevieve to get close to the pontiff.

Carrying a green backpack and wearing a simple jacket over her blue habit, she stood in a corner just behind the velvet ropes.

Despite strict Vatican protocols, no one dared ask her to move along, as cardinals, priests, and members of the pope's personal choir approach the coffin and leave one by one.

She stayed for at least seven minutes.

Sister Genevieve is a French nun and a member of  the Little Sisters of Jesus, according to an old Vatican News report.

In July last year, she hosted Pope Francis at the Luna Park of Ostia Lido.

The pope visited workers at the amusement park, where the nun is providing pastoral assistance.

Sister Genevieve had been a friend to the pope, bringing various groups to meet the pontiff over the years at the conclusion of the regular General Audience every Wednesday.

The serene moment of the nun bidding her friend goodbye was captured by the Vatican media and has touched many people online. 

Pope Francis, throughout his 12-year pontificate, has championed greater role for women in Vatican bureaucracy. 

It was under his papacy that saw for the first time a nun heading a Vatican dicastery, an equivalent of a department or a ministry in secular government structure. 

The pope's no frills approach endeared him to ordinary people, like dining at the cafeteria with Vatican workers and spending time with the homeless and other marginalized people. 

Pope Francis passed away last April 21 at his residence at Casa Santa Marta after battling several illnesses throughout his work as head of the Catholic Church. 

Thousands lined up to enter Saint Peter's Basilica just to get a glimpse of the pontiff dubbed as the "People's Pope."

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 26 marking the beginning of nine-day mourning of the Catholic Church. 

In fulfillment of his final request, Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Magiorre.