Football-loving Brazilian nun, world's oldest person, dies at 116

The world's oldest person, Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, has died at 116.

She was born on June 8, 1908, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Inah became a Catholic nun in her early 20s.

Her family shared that she celebrated her birthday with a cake shaped like the stadium of Sport Club Internacional, her favorite football team.

Sister Inah attributed her long life to her faith. She said, "He [God] is the secret to life." The title of oldest living person now goes to Ethel Caterham, who is 115 and lives in Surrey, England.

Inah's nephew mentioned that she had not been ill but that her body "had gradually stopped" working. She passed away in Porto Alegre at a home run by the Teresian Sisters.

A passionate football fan, Sister Inah celebrated her last birthday wearing an Internacional scarf. She owned several team shirts and even had pillows with their logo.

Sport Club Internacional expressed condolences on X. They said they were saddened by her passing and celebrated her life of kindness and faith.

Sister Rita Fernandes Barbosa coordinated the religious home where Sister Inah lived. She told RBS TV that Sister Inah enjoyed good health for most of her life.

Sister Rita noted that Inah had no surgeries until a cataract operation at age 106. Her family reported that she struggled with hearing and vision towards the end but maintained a routine.

"She liked to get up, eat, pray, and sleep at the same time each day," relatives shared with Brazilian TV. A fellow Teresian nun remarked that Sister Inah "never complained."

Sister Terezinha Aragon described her as "very grateful and good-humored." This was in January when Sister Inah became the world's oldest person after Tomiko Itooka passed away at age 116.

Inah felt called to religion from an early age. At 16, she joined a religious boarding school.

She lived in Montevideo for some time before taking vows but returned to Brazil in 1930. There she taught Portuguese and math at a school in Rio.

Sister Rita credited Sister Inah's longevity to discipline. She said it was evident in both work and life; she was always sociable and welcoming.