Cardinal George: cancer treatment may prevent trip to Rome for Popes' canonizations
April 04, 2014
Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, who is under treatment for cancer, has disclosed that he may be unable to attend the canonizations of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II.
Cardinal George told a reporter from CBS-TV in Chicago that he is “negotiating” with his doctors about a possible trip to Rome for the April 27 ceremonies. “The odds are the doctors will probably have their way, I’m afraid,” he conceded, although he added that he still holds out hope that he will be able to make the trip.
The cardinal was hospitalized in March with “flu-like symptoms.” Doctors fear that he may be vulnerable to infections, because his immune system is weakened by the chemotherapy he is undergoing.
Cardinal George disclosed early in March a cancer in his kidney, which had been treated successfully in 2012, was showing “new signs of activity” and “will most probably eventually be the cause of my death.” The 77-year-old prelate had already survived an earlier bout with bladder cancer.
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Further information:
- Cardinal Hopes Doctors Will Allow Him To Attend Canonizations In Rome (CBS)
- Cardinal George hospitalized; flu cited (CWN, 3/18)
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