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.
Cardinal George prays with Virginia Diaz during the Noche de Gala banquet Oct. 3. 2014. Below, on Sept. 20, 2014.
Photo: Karen Callaway / Catholic New World