Inah Canabarro, a soccer-loving nun from Brazil is the World’s oldest living person  

Her title comes after the recent death of Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, who was 116. LongeviQuest, a group that tracks the world’s oldest people, confirmed her age using early life records.

Sister Inah, born on June 8, 1908, in southern Brazil, is known for her cheerful spirit and devotion to her Catholic faith. Her family says her birth was registered late, so her real birthday is May 27.

“I’m young, pretty and friendly – all very good, positive qualities that you have too,” she told the Associated Press during a visit to her retirement home in Porto Alegre.

Growing up, she was so skinny that many thought she wouldn’t survive childhood, her 84-year-old nephew, Cleber Canabarro, told reporters.

Sister Inah joined religious life as a teenager and worked as a teacher. One of her former students was Gen. Joao Figueiredo, Brazil’s last military dictator. She also started two marching bands in schools near the Brazil-Uruguay border.

For her 110th birthday, she was honoured by Pope Francis.

She is also celebrated every year by her favourite soccer team, Inter, which decorates her room with red and white gifts.

“White or black, rich or poor, whoever you are, Inter is the team of the people,” she said during her 116th birthday celebration with the club’s president.

Her nephew visits her every Saturday and says his voice messages cheer her up. “The other sisters say she gets a jolt when she hears my voice,” he said.

Sister Inah is now the 20th oldest person ever recorded. The oldest remains Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to 122 years.