Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, the world’s oldest person, has passed away at the remarkable age of 116. Born on June 8, 1908, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Sister Inah dedicated her life to faith and became a Catholic nun in her early 20s. Her love for football was evident in her celebrations, always marking her birthdays with a cake shaped like the stadium of her beloved Sport Club Internacional.
Sister Inah attributed her longevity to her faith, saying, “God is the secret to life.” She had a blessed life, even meeting Pope Francis in 2018. The nun’s nephew revealed that she didn’t suffer from any illnesses, but her body gradually slowed down. She died peacefully in Porto Alegre, surrounded by her Teresian Sisters community.
The 116-year-old was known for her devotion to Internacional, often wearing the team’s scarf and owning several team shirts and pillows with the logo. The team paid tribute to her, celebrating her life of kindness, faith, and love for football.
Sister Rita Fernandes Barbosa, a coordinator at the religious home where Sister Inah lived, praised her good health throughout her life, noting that she only had a cataract operation at 106. Despite losing her hearing and sight towards the end, Sister Inah remained grateful and good-humored, sticking to her daily routine of prayer, meals, and rest.
With Sister Inah’s passing, 115-year-old Ethel Caterham from Surrey, England, becomes the world’s oldest living person. Sister Rita attributed Sister Inah’s long life to her discipline, sociability, and welcoming nature.
