Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, Brazil's Beloved Nun and World's Oldest Person, Passes Away at 116

Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, who dedicated her life to service and was an avid supporter of her local football team, has died at 116, leaving behind a legacy defined by kindness and devotion.

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, she became a Catholic nun in her early 20s. Celebrating her birthday each year with cake shaped like the stadium of her beloved Sport Club Internacional, Sister Inah embodied the spirit of faith and community.

Affectionately remembered for her longevity, Sister Inah attributed her long life to her unwavering faith, exclaiming that "he [God] is the secret to life." Following her passing, the title of the oldest living person now belongs to 115-year-old Ethel Caterham in Surrey, England. Her nephew noted that even though Sister Inah had gradually stopped functioning, she had not been afflicted with any serious illnesses. She passed away peacefully at a home run by the Teresian Sisters in Porto Alegre.

A lifelong football enthusiast, Sister Inah celebrated her 116th birthday while donning her favorite team's scarf, showing her enduring passion for Sport Club Internacional. The club expressed their sorrow on the social media platform X, commending her life filled with faith, benevolence, and love for football.

Sister Rita Fernandes Barbosa, who oversaw the religious home where Sister Inah resided, remarked that the nun enjoyed a relatively healthy life, undergoing her first surgery—a cataract operation—only at the age of 106. By the end of her life, she faced challenges with hearing and vision but relished a daily routine of rising to pray, eat, and sleep at consistent times.

Family members described her as a disciplined and welcoming individual, highlighting her sociability and dedication. Sister Terezinha Aragon, another nun from the Teresian community, remarked that Sister Inah lived with gratitude and humor, drawing admiration from those around her throughout her extraordinary life.