After greeting hundreds of parishioners at Queen of All Saints Basilica with handshakes, blessings and a smile, Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George told the Tribune that he expects to complete chemotherapy by early January.

But further tests will have to be done before he knows whether the treatment was a success, he said.

George, 75, who battled bladder cancer six years ago, has been undergoing chemotherapy since September, shortly after doctors discovered cancerous cells on his liver and a kidney.
“So far, I’m responding well,” said George during an interview with the Tribune after celebrating the 50th anniversary Mass of the Sauganash neighborhood basilica.