Milbert Orlando Brown, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George attends a rally of students from private Catholic schools at Daley Plaza in 1999.
John J. Kim, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George presides over the sacrament of confirmation March 8, 2014, at St. Clement Church in Chicago.
Stacey Wescott, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George gives the homily during Mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago on March 30, 2014. It was the first time the Cardinal officiated Mass since undergoing treatment again for cancer, dehydration and flu-like symptoms.
Nuccio DiNuzzo, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago, looks at the Casavant Pipe Organ Opus 1130 on Oct. 20, 2013, during a special Mass for the dedication of the restored organ at S. John Cantius Church. The organ was salvaged from the now-shuttered St. James Methodist Church.
Heather Charles, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George presides over the 100th anniversary Mass at St. Wenceslaus Parish in Chicago on Dec. 30, 2012.
Jose More, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George greets congregants April 9, 2006, after Palm Sunday Mass at Holy Name Cathedral, celebrating the first day of Holy Week.
E. Jason Wambsgans, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George, at his residence in Chicago in 2013, talks with Tribune reporter John Kass about choosing a new pope.
Chris Walker, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George poses for a portrait at his residence Feb. 25, 2013, before leaving for Rome and the conclave to elect a replacement for Pope Benedict XVI.
Chris Sweda, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George shares a laugh after speaking at St. Xavier University on April 8, 2014, on Chicago's Far South Side.
Brian Cassella, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George conducts a 7 a.m. private Mass inside his residence March 8, 2011.
Brian Cassella, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George conducts a 7 a.m. private Mass inside his residence March 8, 2011.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiCardinal Francis George passes a portrait of himself in his residence March 8, 2011. In the far room is a portrait of his predecessor Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.
Nancy Stone, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George talks about the 50 years since his ordination during an interview at his residence Dec. 4, 2013.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George presides over a blessing of the new continuing care retirement center and three meeting rooms Sept. 8, 2014, at Mercy Circle in Evergreen Park. The space is shared by Sisters of Mercy as well as retired priests.
Brian Cassella, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George gives an interview Oct. 20, 2014, in his residence.
Heather Stone, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George washes the feet of 12 worshippers, part of Holy Thursday evening service at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago on March 28, 2002.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiArchbishop Francis George listens to Imam Senad Agic, leader of the Islamic Mosque in Northbrook, just before a Muslim prayer service Jan. 20, 1998. The archbishop later shared food with Muslims to end the fast of Ramadan.
Michael Tercha, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George speaks in support of anti-abortion issues before the ninth annual March for Life on Jan. 19, 2014, at Federal Plaza in Chicago.
Chris Sweda, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George speaks April 8, 2014, at St. Xavier University in Chicago.
Brian Cassella, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George laughs March 8, 2011, during breakfast with other church officials at his residence.
John J. Kim, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George prays with an audience March 29, 2013, during the Way of the Cross at Daley Plaza.
Brian Cassella, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George, shown March 8, 2011, wears the ring that is worn by all cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church. George was elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II.
Nancy Stone, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George proceeds out of Holy Name Cathedral for the final time as Chicago's archbishop Nov. 16, 2014.
Stacey Wescott, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George, right, is helped down the aisle of Holy Name Cathedral by Deacon Stan Strom on March 30, 2014. After the Mass, George said he was in good spirits but feeling "more wobbly than usual."
Brian Cassella, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George makes his way to another meeting at his residence March 8, 2011.
Bill Hogan, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George kisses the ring of Pope John Paul II on Feb. 21, 1998, after being elevated to cardinal at the Basilica of St. Peter's in Vatican City. George was one of 19 new cardinals.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George presides over a blessing of the new continuing care retirement center and three meeting rooms Sept. 8, 2014, at Mercy Circle in Evergreen Park.
Bill Hogan, baiduhaiPope John Paul II elevated 22 clerics to cardinal, including Cardinal Francis George, right, and Cardinal Cristoph Schoenborn of Vienna, during his seventh concistory Feb. 21, 1998. The service was held outside, in front of the Basilica of St Peter's in Vatican City.
Alex Garcia, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George spreads incense and makes the final blessing to end the funeral Mass for the Rev. Andrew Greeley on June 5, 2013, at Christ the King Parish Church in Chicago.
Zbigniew Bzdak, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George holds a news conference April 11, 2014, at Archbishop Quigley Center in Chicago, where he talked about his health concerns, including his decision to skip a meeting with the pope. "My health is something I have to pay attention to full time," he said.
Nancy Stone, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George proceeds out of Holy Name Cathedral for the final time as Chicago's archbishop Nov. 16, 2014.
Nancy Stone, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George makes his final Communion as Chicago's archbishop Nov. 16, 2014.
Brian Cassella, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George enters for private Mass at 7 a.m. inside his residence March 8, 2011.
E. Jason Wambsgans, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George pauses to reflect during an interview at his residence Feb. 21, 2013.
Abel Uribe, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George takes questions at a news conference Jan. 30, 2015, after receiving the Gaudium et Spes from the Knights of Columbus, the group's highest possible award, at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Terrence Antonio James, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George, right, attends St. James at Sag Parish in Lemont for a May 3, 1998, rededication ceremony on the 165th anniversary of the parish's construction. The Rev. Edwin Bohula, left, stands with the cardinal before the ceremony.
Nancy Stone, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George walks out of church March 31, 2013, after celebrating Easter Mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.
Nancy Stone, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George talks with altar girls Chioma Akwuarando, 9, left, and Jennifer Slay, 12, on Feb. 17, 2013, at Church of St. Bride in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood, where George celebrated Mass.
Antonio Perez, baiduhaiSurrounded by members of the Interfaith Coalition, Cardinal Francis George speaks out on behalf of restoring the water fee exemption for religious institutions April 30, 2013, during a news conference at St. Paul Church of God in Christ.
Chris Walker, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George talks Feb. 11, 2013, about the announcement of the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI.
Nancy Stone, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George shakes hands with parishioners after his final Mass as archbishop at Holy Name Cathedral on Nov. 16, 2014.
Jose More, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George, background center, and bishops lead groups of faithful Sept. 17, 2000, through 13 tableau at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein depicting pivotal events in the history of the Chicago-area Catholic church. George and the bishops were approaching the Rev. Robert Kilbridge, who was dressed to represent the cardinal.
José M. Osorio, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George closes his eyes in prayer March 28, 2010, before the blessing of the palm branches outside Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.
Zbigniew Bzdak, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George holds a news conference April 11, 2014, at Archbishop Quigley Center in Chicago to talk about his health.
Antonio Perez / baiduhaiCardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago, greets students from St. Rita on March 24, 2011, after a Mass with young adults from the Archdioceses of Chicago, Joliet and Rockford at Holy Name Cathedral.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiCardinal Francis George has breakfast at his residence March 8, 2011.
Antonio Perez, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George, back to the camera, speaks April 30, 2013, about the issue of nonprofits being exempt from water fees at St. Paul Church of God in Christ in the South Side's Bronzeville neighborhood. "The lake is a gift from God," he said.
Brian Cassella, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George, center, meets with Rev. Dan Flens, left, and Rev. Bob Barron during breakfast March 8, 2011.
Brian Cassella, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George checks on a sick priest from his office March 8, 2011.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiThe cardinal meets with the Rev. Ed Upton, left, and Monsignor John Canary on March 8, 2011. The portrait on the wall is of his predecessor Cardinal Joseph Bernardin
Brian Cassella, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George reviews materials at his residence in Chicago on March 8, 2011.
Vatican Press OfficeArchbishop Francis George, left, receives the pallium from Pope John Paul II on June 29, 1997, during an ancient rite at the Basilica of St. Peter's in Vatican City. George was installed in 1997 and was elevated to cardinal in 1998. He resigned in 2014.
Stacey Wescott, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George, center, is helped down the steps of Holy Name Cathedral on March 30, 2014, by Deacon Stan Strom, left, and Deacon Brad Zamora after Mass.
Brian Cassella, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George, seated left, has breakfast with Bishop Raymond Goedert, the Rev. Bob Barron and other church officials at his residence March 8, 2011.
Nancy Stone, baiduhaiCardinal Francis George greets worshipers after presiding over Easter service March 31, 2013, at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.
Milbert Orlando Brown, baiduhai
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Cardinal Francis George attends a rally of students from private Catholic schools at Daley Plaza in 1999.
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Cardinal Francis George will miss a planned trip to Rome in October to instead receive treatment for cancer, the Archdiocese of Chicago said Tuesday.
George had planned to visit Rome to meet with Pope Francis and for other meetings, said archdiocese spokeswoman Colleen Dolan, but he will not go because a new medicine he is taking requires a treatment at the time of the trip.
Dolan said George will likely reschedule the trip.
George was initially diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2006. In August 2012 he learned that the disease had returned to his kidney and liver, according to the archdiocese.
The cancer had been in remission for more than a year when George revealed in March that the disease “is beginning to show signs of new activity” and he was facing a “more aggressive” round of chemotherapy.
George submitted his letter of resignation in 2012 as he turned 75, following a rule in place for all Roman Catholic bishops.
The papal nuncio, or ambassador, to the United States, informed George earlier this year that he has started the search for George’s successor, which is expected to be complete in late fall, the archdiocese said earlier this year.
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