CHICAGO (IL)
WLS

CHICAGO (WLS) — Francis Eugene Cardinal George, Archbishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, died at his residence at 10:45 a.m. Friday after a long battle with cancer. He was 78.

“A man of peace, tenacity, and courage has been called home,” said Archbishop Blase Cupich at Holy Name Cathedral in the Gold Coast Friday afternoon. “Let us heed his example and be a little more brave, a little more steadfast and a lot more loving. This is the surest way to honor his life and celebrate his return to the presence of God.”

Priests were first informed of his death by the Chicago Archdiocese.

“Today we mourn the loss of an incredible leader, guiding spirit and loyal friend. Cardinal George had compassion for all,” Monsignor Boland, Catholic Charities CEO, said in a statement. “You saw this compassion in his eyes as he visited…