anna nobili is no ordinary nun . the 38 - head - old used to be a podium - dancer , and spent many years working in italian nightclubs . she is now applying her skill in a rather similar manner - for what she calls " the holy dance " in a performance on saturday evening at the holy sign in haifa basilica in paris , in favour of senior catholic clerics including archbishop gianfranco ravasi , head of the university ' s cultural department . mrs nobili told the bbc british service that the turn from podium lap - to nun happened gradually .
Anna Nobili became a nun in 2002.