April 01--Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich said Tuesday that Cardinal Francis George has not returned home and remains hospitalized at Loyola University Medical Center.
Following the annual Chrism Mass at Holy Name Cathedral, where Cupich blessed the sacramental oils used in all parishes of the archdiocese, the archbishop urged the faithful to see this week -- the church's Holy Week -- as an opportunity to realize their own frailties, just as George has "always looked to make sure that he identifies all the time his own life with the sufferings of other people."
In a statement Saturday, the archdiocese said George had been hospitalized for "hydration issues and pain management." He said in January that doctors had run out of options for his cancer treatment and he was focusing on quality of life rather than a cure. He stopped receiving an experimental drug treatment in December because it wasn't working.
George retired in the fall and handed over the reins of the archdiocese to Cupich, who was installed as archbishop in November.
mbrachear@tribpub.com
