CHICAGO (IL)
WBEZ

April 17, 2015
By: Lynette Kalsnes

Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George, who stepped down from his post last year to fight cancer for the third time, died on Friday. He was 78.

George was the leader of 2.2 million Roman Catholics in Lake and Cook Counties for more than 17 years. He retired in November 2014 due to his health.

When asked at the time about his legacy, George told WBEZ:

“I just hope people remember I tried to be a good bishop. It is administrative. You have to take care of the institutions that protect the mission. What I discover now in many letters is truly touching because people write and tell me, ‘You don’t remember me, but 10 years ago or five years ago, I was transformed (or helped anyway spiritually) by something you said or you did.’ And when I hear that, I…