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Visitation For Cardinal George Begins Tuesday

Chicago archdiocese

Public visitation for former Chicago Archbishop Cardinal Francis George, who died in his home Friday at the age of 78 following a long battle with cancer, will begin at 2:30 p.m.Tuesday in Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral.

Funeral services will be held at noon Thursday, according to an announcement from the archdiocese. A ticket will be required to attend the funeral.

George will be buried in the family plot at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.

"A man of peace, tenacity and courage has been called home to the Lord," George's successor, Archbishop Blase Cupich, said this afternoon. He remembered George as “always choosing the church over his own comfort, and the people over his own needs.

Appointed to lead the archdiocese in 1997, George became a leading figure of his era in the American church.  He oversaw the contentious new English-language translation of the Roman Missal, one of the biggest changes in Catholic worship in generations. In 2002, at the height of the sex-abuse crisis, he led a group of U.S. bishops who persuaded Vatican officials to more quickly oust guilty priests.

George also spearheaded the fight among bishops against President Barack Obama's health insurance plan, arguing it allowed the use of taxpayer money for abortion.  

"Francis Cardinal George was the spiritual leader of millions of Catholics in and around Chicago and touched the lives of countless others through the Church's schools, pastoral care and social services," Gov. Bruce Rauner said in a statement.

"He shepherded the Church through some of its most trying times, but leaves behind a strong community of faith that has tremendous positive impact on the people of Illinois, regardless of their creed.

"Diana and I pray that he rest in eternal peace."

George was born in Chicago and decided to become a priest when he was in grammar school. He was struck with polio when he was 13. He was sent home from a seminary in Chicago but pursued his calling at a different order -- the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate -- to which he devoted his religious life.

He was selected in 1997 by Pope John Paul II to replace the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin as Chicago’s archbishop.