Inah Canabarro Lucas, the world’s oldest known person, passed away at 116. A Brazilian nun, she was recognized for her dedication to faith and service. With her death, Ethel Caterham became the oldest living person. Canabarro attributed her longevity to her faith, and she had received a blessing from Pope Francis on her 110th birthday.

The world’s oldest known person, Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 116, according to an obituary published by the age-tracking database LongeviQuest and confirmed by her religious order.

Multiple media outlets reported that the Congregation of Teresian Sisters of Brazil, based in Porto Alegre, issued a formal statement announcing her death and paying tribute to her “dedication and devotion” throughout her life of service.

According to LongeviQuest, Canabarro was 116 years and 326 days old at the time of her death. With her passing, Ethel Caterham from Surrey in the United Kingdom, aged 115 years and 252 days, now holds the title of the world’s oldest living person.

“Although she claimed her birthdate was 27 May 1908, research determined it was likely 11 days later. As a frail child, many doubted she would survive,” the LongeviQuest obituary noted.

When asked about the secret to her remarkable longevity, Canabarro credited her faith, saying, “He helped me live these many years. He is the secret of life. He is the secret of everything,” referring to the Lord, according to LongeviQuest.

In 2018, she received a blessing from the late Pope Francis on her 110th birthday. The pontiff died just days before her, at the age of 88, reportedly due to a stroke.

Canabarro took her vows in 1934 and spent much of her life serving as a teacher. LongeviQuest noted that they had visited her in February 2024 to recognize her officially as the oldest living person in Brazil.

Before Canabarro’s passing, the title of the world’s oldest person had belonged to Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman who died in January 2025 at the age of 116.