Cardinal George Undergoing Chemotherapy After New Signs Of Cancer

By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 7, 2014 5:50PM

Cardinal Francis George, in a photo from 2010. (Photo credit: Handout/Getty Images)

Cardinal Francis George is undergoing another round of chemotherapy after doctors discovered “current signs of activity of cancer cells surrounding his right kidney.”

A statement from the Archdiocese of Chicago announcing George’s latest cancer diagnosis indicated he plans on maintaining his current schedule but that could change depending on his body’s reaction to the treatments.

This is the cardinal’s third bout with cancer. He had radical surgery to remove a cancerous bladder, his prostate and part of his right ureter in July 2006. The cancer returned in August 2012. George underwent another round of chemotherapy and was declared cancer free in December 2012.

The 77-year-old George is well past the age of retirement under Vatican rules. He submitted his resignation paperwork when he turned 75 but Pope Francis has yet to ask George to resign. When his cancer returned George told CBS 2’s Jay Levine he was in the process of establishing a succession plan.