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Images: Cardinal George 1937-2015

Cardinal George, the former leader of the Chicago Archdiocese, succumbed to his long battle with cancer. He was 78. A regular presence in the suburbs, George frequently visited local parishes and schools during his years as archbishop, from 1997 to 2014. He'd lead Masses, celebrate milestones, greet church members, and console parishes during tough times.

Suburban parishes mourn the passing of Cardinal George

  Cardinal George gives a blessing to Maria Mora of Carpentersville, as Francis Cardinal George blesses the staff, patients and families of the new Alexian Brothers Women and Children's Hospital in Hoffman Estates. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  The Reverend Robert C. Rizzo is all smiles after greeting Francis Cardinal George, the Archibishop of Chicago Sunday at St. Hubert Church in Hoffman Estates. Cardinal George was the Principal Celebrant in the Rite of Installation of Rizzo as the fourth pastor of St. Hubert. Rizzo had eagerly greeted the Cardinal after he was delayed in traffic for the ceremony. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Francis Cardinal George rides through the hallways, blessing the staff, patients and families of the new Alexian Brothers Women and Children's Hospital in Hoffman Estates. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Cardinal Francis George listens at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago during Bishop Blase Cupich's Rite of Reception service. The Archdiocese of Chicago said Tuesday, March 3, 2015, that George was admitted to the hospital Sunday, March 1, for evaluation after he stopped treatment for kidney cancer more than a month ago. Archdiocese officials say he'll stay there several days while tests are done. Associated Press
  St. Mary's Church in Buffalo Grove welcomes Cardinal Francis George to recognize the ministry of alter services. The Cardinal looks out on the masses at St. Marys. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  St. Mary's Church in Buffalo Grove welcomes Cardinal Francis George to recognize the ministry of alter services. Here Cardinal George says mass for the people of St. Mary's Church in Buffalo Grove. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Cardinal Francis George participates in the dedication mass of the new St. James School and Formation Center in Arlington Heights on Sunday. GILBERT R. BOUCHER II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Francis Cardinal George is flanked by the Knights of Columbus during the processional of the Archdiocese Mass for Life in commemoration of the 36th anniversary of Roe v Wade, at Queen of the Rosary Parish, Elk Grove Village. JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Alexian Brothers Medical Center Hospital marks an expansion milestone as His Eminence Francis Cardinal George dedicates the new Maddalena and Charles Pastika Memorial Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Posing for a photo are Terry Pastika, left, daughter of donor Dr. Charles Pastika, right. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Archbishop Francis Cardinal George admires the gift of a St. Joseph statue after St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church's 50th Anniversary Mass, in Wheeling. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  St. Mary's Church in Buffalo Grove welcomes Cardinal Francis George to recognize the ministry of alter services. The Cardinal enters the church as the others priests follow in his footsteps. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  St. Mary's Church in Buffalo Grove welcomes Cardinal Francis George to recognize the ministry of alter services. Cardinal George takes a moment to reflect during mass. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Cardinal Francis George descends the church steps during the funeral for Rev. Arthur Fagan at St. Julian Eymard, Elk Grove Village, Thursday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Archbishop Francis Cardinal George gives his Homily during St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church's 50th Anniversary Mass, in Wheeling. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Francis Cardinal George delivers the homily during the Archdiocese Mass for Life in commemoration of the 36th anniversary of Roe v Wade, at Queen of the Rosary Parish, Elk Grove Village. JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago presides over the blessing and dedication of the East Tower at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove on Thursday May 21, 2009. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. greets people after 50th Anniversary Liturgy at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
Cardinal Francis George, retiring leader of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago left, shakes hands with newly appointed Archbishop of Chicago, Archbishop Blase Cupich right, after Cupich spoke to the media during a news conference in Chicago, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. Associated Press
Cardinal Francis George appears Friday night in his first public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer. Daily Herald file photo
Cardinal George prays with members of the St. Joseph the Worker perish after blessing the new social hall Sunday in Wheeling. The hall will serve as a place for the perish to host events, gatherings, and mass on overcrowded days. Daily Herald file photo
Francis Cardinal George of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Buffalo Grove speaks during the Friday night service. The service was dedicated to the teens participating in World youth Day. About 500 teens from Cook and Lake county will be traveling over to Madrid August 8th for World Youth Day. Daily Herald file photo
Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of the Chicago Archdiocese speaks at "A Conversation on Unity in Christ's Mission" Monday at Wheaton College's Edman Chapel. The event was an evening of dialogue exploring the common ground and current challenges facing Catholics and evangelical Protestants in Christian faith and mission. Daily Herald file photo
  Francis Cardinal George of the Chicago Archdiocese passes the crosier to Rev. R. Daniel Conlon, during his installation as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Joliet. The installation took place at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Francis Cardinal George delivers the homily as he celebrates mass at St. Thomas Becket Church, Mt. Prospect for the church's 40th anniversary. JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Cardinal Francis George prepares to conducted mass Sunday at St. Zachary Parish in Des Plaines to mark its 50th anniversary. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald
  Francis Cardinal George celebrates mass with the parishioners of St. Joseph Church in Round Lake on the 100th anniversary of the parish Saturday. JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Cardinal George blesses St. Joseph the Worker's new social hall Sunday in Wheeling. The hall will serve as a place for the perish to host events, gatherings, and mass on overcrowded days. Daily Herald file photo
  Francis Cardinal George gives the homily as he celebrates mass with the parishioners of St. Joseph Church in Round Lake on the 100th anniversary of the parish Saturday. JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Francis Cardinal George blesses the staff, patients and families of the new Alexian Brothers Women and Children's Hospital in Hoffman Estates. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Francis Cardinal George presides over a funeral Mass for Rev. Andrew Greeley at Christ The King Church Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in Chicago. Greeley, an outspoken priest and best-selling author died in his Chicago home last week he was 85. Associated Press
  Cardinal George blesses Alexandra Jones born prematurely. Francis Cardinal George blesses the staff, patients and families of the new Alexian Brothers Women and Children's Hospital in Hoffman Estates. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Chicago Cardinal Francis George speaks during a news conference in Chicago. The Associated Press has learned that Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane, Wash., will be the next archbishop of Chicago. A person with knowledge of the selection says Cupich will succeed George. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person wasn't authorized to speak publicly. Associated Press
Chicago Cardinal Francis George pauses while speaking during a news conference in Chicago. The Associated Press has learned that Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane, Wash., will be the next archbishop of Chicago. A person with knowledge of the selection says Cupich will succeed George. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person wasn't authorized to speak publicly. The Archdiocese of Chicago has scheduled a news conference Saturday, Sept. 20, but will not comment. Associated Press
  Francis Cardinal George speaks with Timmy Matijevic, 11, of Palatine and Shelby Mepham, 13, of Palatine at St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic church in Palatine in a mass of thanksgiving celebrating the school 50 year anniversary on Saturday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
The retiring Cardinal Francis George, right, welcomes Bishop Blase Cupich during the Rite of Reception service at Holy Name Cathedral, Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, in Chicago. Cupich will be installed as the ninth Archbishop of Chicago on Tuesday. He was named in September by Pope Francis to succeed the retiring Cardinal Francis George. Associated Press
  Francis Cardinal George rides through the hallways, blessing the staff, patients and families of the new Alexian Brothers Women and Children's Hospital in Hoffman Estates. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Chicago Cardinal Francis George speaks during a news conference Friday, April 11, 2013, in Chicago. The 77-year-old spiritual leader of the Archdiocese of Chicago's more than 2 million Roman Catholics Chicago's said the Roman Catholic Church has told him it will begin searching for his successor because of his "uncertain" health as he undergoes chemotherapy. Associated Press
The retiring Cardinal Francis George kisses a bible during the Installation Mass of Archbishop Blase Cupich at Holy Name Cathedral, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, in Chicago. Cupich was named in September by Pope Francis to succeed the retiring Cardinal Francis George. Associated Press
Bishop Blase Cupich, left, and the retiring Cardinal Francis George listen during his Rite of Reception service at Holy Name Cathedral, Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, in Chicago. Cupich will be installed as the ninth Archbishop of Chicago on Tuesday. He was named in September by Pope Francis to succeed the retiring Cardinal Francis George. Associated Press
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