The former Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Francis George, has died after a lengthy battle with cancer.
He was 78.
As head of the United States’ third-largest archdiocese, Cardinal George shepherded the Chicago church through school closings and the priest sexual abuse scandal.
He strived to reconcile his support for the clergy with the pain of victims.
He also became a point person between the US and the Vatican on the abuse scandal and matters such the English translation used in the Mass.
In November 2014, Cardinal George became the first Chicago archbishop to retire, following his third cancer diagnosis.
He was succeeded in Chicago by Archbishop Blase Cupich.
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