The world mourns the passing of Inah Canabarro Lucas, a Brazilian nun recognized as the oldest living person on Earth. She passed away at the age of 116 in Porto Alegre, Brazil, where she lived and served her community as a member of the Theresian Sisters order. Born on June 8, 1908, Sister Inah was officially acknowledged as the world’s oldest person following the death of Japan’s Tomiko Itooka in January. Her longevity was confirmed by reputable organizations like the Gerontological Research Group (GRG) and LongeviQuest.
Sister Inah credited her faith in God for her remarkable lifespan, often saying, “This is the secret of life. It is the secret of everything.” Despite being frail during her early years—many doubted if she would survive childhood—she went on to live an inspiring life, becoming a nun in 1934 at the age of 26. She even received special blessings from Pope Francis on her 110th birthday.
According to LongeviQuest, Sister Inah ranks as the 15th oldest documented woman in history and the second-oldest nun ever, after France’s Lucile Randon, who passed away in 2023 at 118 years old. Following her passing, Ethel Caterham of Surrey, England, now holds the title of the world’s oldest living person at 115 years old.