Call him a local boy made good or a favorite son, or even "Francis, your neighbor." The fact is, no one, not even Cardinal George himself, could have predicted a path that would take him away from Chicago, first to Belleville, Illinois and then around the world, before returning to his hometown. The following are pictures from the cardinal's extraordinary life.
Respiratory therapist Trish Schneck stands across from Cardinal George as he blesses Lasandra Criswell, 3, on Christmas Day 2008 at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
Photo: Karen Callaway / Catholic New World