Key dates in Cardinal George’s life, career

Jan. 16, 1937 — Born Francis Eugene George at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. Contracts polio at 13.

1957 — Enters the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

1963 — Ordained a priest at St. Pascal Church — the parish where he attended grade school.

1974 — Named vicar general of the oblates in Rome.

1990 — Appointed bishop of Yakima, Washington.

1996 — Appointed archbishop of Portland, Oregon.

April 8, 1997 — Named archbishop of Chicago by Pope John Paul II, succeeding the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.

Jan. 18, 1998 — Named a cardinal.

2002 — Served on Vatican commission on U.S. priest sex abuse scandal. Later fought to block release of church records on abuse allegations.

2006 — First diagnosed with cancer, had bladder and prostate removed.

2012 — Cancer returned, in kidney.

Sept. 20, 2014 — Vatican announces Pope Francis’ acceptance of his resignation and the appointment of Archbishop Blase Cupich to succeed him.

April 17. 2015 — Dies at age 78 after years-long battle with cancer.