Nun who broke protocol at Pope Francis' coffin speaks out after bursting into tears next to his casket

A heartbroken nun has made headlines for breaking protocol and entering the restricted zone of Pope Francis' casket.

Sister Genevieve Jeanningros is a French-Argentine nun, who was seen bursting into tears by the late Pope's coffin.

The 81-year-old could be seen entering the restricted zone at St Peter's Basilica, where the Pope's body was held, an area that is normally reserved for priests, bishops and cardinals.

But in footage that has since gone viral, the nun was seen wiping away her tears with a tissue as she approached the Pope's body on the first day of his lying-in state.

Devastated, the nun was actually allowed to stand by the coffin as she was close friends with Pope Francis.

Their friendship started when the Pope was known as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

Now, Sister Genevieve Jeanningros has spoken about the moment she approached her late friend's casket for the first time.

She admitted that her sadness was also from requests she had received from others, explaining to the Vatican press service: "Many people told me: when you go to see the Pope, take us with you. I cried for them too."

The nun has visited St. Peter's Basilica four times now, most recently seeing the late Pope on Friday, bringing a woman named Laura Esquivel with her.

Esquibel is a Paraguayan trans woman who knew the Pope too, and she shared: "I was the first trans woman to shake his hand. I've seen him seven times, we had lunch together. I liked him a lot."

Sister Genevieve has since received several requests from the media for interviews, though she has turned them all down, according to G1.

The heartbreaking images of the nun by her friend's coffin is heartbreaking (Vatican Media)

She explained that she wants to avoid speaking about the subject: “No, I can’t. I don’t want to talk to anyone, I’m sorry. I can’t because it’s too much, you know? I liked him a lot, that’s it.”

It's believed that 250,000 mourners paid their respects to the late Pope over a three-day lying-in state, according to the Vatican.

Pope Francis' funeral is taking place today (26 April), with world leaders gathering to mourn the leader of the Catholic Church's passing.

Around half a million people are expected to be present for the open-air service.

Following the funeral, the Pope's remains will be brought through the streets of Rome in a break of tradition, being transported to an underground tomb in the basilica of Saint Mary Major, as per his request.

The Pope's funeral will break Vatican tradition (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

The death of Pope Francis, 88, was announced by the Vatican on Monday (21 April), as a result of a stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.

In a statement, Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Ferrell said: "At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.

“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church,” he added.