Brazil, Jan 08, (V7N) – Inah Canabarro Lucas, aged 116, has officially been recognized as the world’s oldest living person, according to LongeviQuest, a nonprofit that tracks the world's oldest individuals. She is also the 20th oldest person in recorded history.

Lucas’ title comes after the death of Japan's Tomiko Itooka, who passed away at 116 on December 29, 2023. Following Itooka's death, Japan's oldest living person is now 115-year-old Okagi Hayashi from Gifu Prefecture.

Born on June 8, 1908, in São Francisco de Assis, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Lucas has lived through extraordinary milestones. She was confirmed by LongeviQuest after verification of her birth date, which had originally been listed as May 27, 1908.

Lucas' remarkable life includes receiving an apostolic blessing from Pope Francis for her 110th birthday in 2018. She also became the second oldest nun in history, following Lucile Randon, or Sister André, who passed away at 118 years old in January 2023.

Throughout her life, Lucas worked as a teacher, professor, and secretary, retiring in 1995. She took her perpetual vows as a nun in 1934 and was dedicated to both her faith and her passion for soccer, supporting Sport Club Internacional.

When asked about the secret to her long life, Lucas attributed it to the Lord, saying, "He is the secret of life. He is the secret of everything."

LongeviQuest confirmed that Lucas is the last living person born in 1908, further cementing her place in history as one of the longest-lived individuals ever recorded.

END/SMA/AJ/