Cardinal Francis George dies after long struggle with cancer

Cardinal Francis George, the first Chicago native to serve as the local archbishop and a man who during that 17-year tenure became the intellectual leader of the American church, died Friday morning at his home after a years long struggle with cancer. He was 78.

"A man of peace, tenacity and courage has been called home to the Lord," George's successor, Archbishop Blase Cupich, said during a brief announcement Friday afternoon.

He said George died at 10:45 a.m. at his home.

"Let us heed his example and be a little more brave, a little more steadfast and a lot more loving," Cupich said. "May Cardinal Francis George rest in peace."

continue at Chicago Tribune

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