The Chicago archdiocese has announced it will hold a press conference tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 at the Archbishop Quigley Center, 835 N. Rush Street, Chicago.
No other details are provided -- but they don't need to say much.
In May, the archdiocese announced that the Vatican's representative to the U.S. had begun the vetting process to find a replacement for Cardinal Francis George, who is 77 and is undergoing chemo therapy. The archdiocese at the time said the selection process would be completed by late fall. Well summer official ends Sept. 22.
Because of the size and historical importance of the archdiocese, Chicago is considered a major U.S. see and who Pope Francis chooses to replace George is being closely watched as a signal of the direction Pope Francis wants the U.S. church to take.
George was first diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2006 and underwent treatment. He was clear until 2012, when additional cancer was found and he underwent treatment again. In March, he announced that the cancer had returned again and an aggressive treatment program would be needed. Last month the archdiocese announced hat George has entered an experimental cancer treatment program at the University of Chicago.
Watch the NCR website Saturday morning for updates and analysis.
