Florence, Italy, Jun 2, 2017 / 15:15 pm
Sister Candida Bellotti, thought to be the oldest nun in the world, died Saturday at the age of 110.
Sister Bellotti had celebrated her 110th birthday on Feb. 20, 2017 and received a special birthday greeting from Pope Francis.
"To the Reverend Sister Candida Bellotti, Sister Minister of the Sick, who with gratitude to God is celebrating her 110th birthday, the Holy Father Francis spiritually participates in the joy we all share for this happy occasion and sends warm congratulations and heartfelt wishes," said the pontiff in his message at the time.
The Italian nun was 30 years older than Pope Francis. Her life spanned ten pontiffs: Pius X (1903-1914), Benedict XV (1914-1922), Pius XI (1922-1939), Pius XII (1939-1958), John XXIII (1958-1963), Paul VI (1963-1978), John Paul I (1978), John Paul II (1978-2005), Benedict XVI (2005-2013), and Pope Francis (2013- ).