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

Various news outlets cited the Congregation of Teresian Sisters of Brazil in Porto Alegre as having announced Sister Canabarro’s passing in a statement, honoring her “for the dedication and devotion” she demonstrated throughout her life.

LongeviQuest reported that she died at the age of 116 years and 326 days. With her passing, Ethel Caterham of Surrey, United Kingdom, is now the world’s oldest living person at 115 years and 252 days old.

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

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

She received a blessing from the late Pope Francis on her 110th birthday in 2018. The Pope passed away just days before she did, at the age of 88.

Sister Canabarro took her vows in 1934 and served as a teacher. LongeviQuest had visited her in February 2024, recognizing her as Brazil’s oldest living person at the time.

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