Cardinal Francis George stepping down after 25 years as Chicago Archbishop . Spokane Bishop Blase Cupich chosen to succeed him . George resigned as required at age 70 in 2015 , but he did n't accept it until now . Pope John Paul II named George as Chicago archbishop in 1997 . George has been battling lung cancer .
Cardinal Francis George stepping down after 25 years as Chicago Archbishop . Spokane Bishop Blase Cupich chosen to succeed him . George resigned as required at age 70 in 2015 , but he did n't accept it until now . George has been battling lung cancer .