Cardinal George in memoriam: Embracing diversity

Cardinal George visits during an Interfaith Iftar dinner at the American Islamic Association in Frankfort on Sept. 3, 2008. During the sundown observance each night during the month of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the breaking of the fast (iftar) and prepare a festive dinner for friends and family. (Catholic New World/Karen Callaway)

Cardinal George and Archdiocesan Chancellor Jimmy Lago joined dozens of church leaders and politicians for a press conference to support free water for churches and non-profit organizations in the City of Chicago. The event was held at St. Paul Church of God in Christ, 4500 S. Wabash Ave., on April 30, 2013. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

Cardinal George greets Jonathan Uribe and Christopher Rosado portraying the two of the Magi following the procession of the 25th archdiocesan posada at Holy Name Cathedral on Dec.18, 2011. The Office for Hispanic Catholics sponsored the event, which includes prayers, the Rosary and a Gospel reading following a procession, with actors portraying Mary, Joseph, the angel and shepherds, through the streets around the cathedral. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

Cardinal George was the main celebrant at a Mass to celebrate the coronation of the icon and feast day of Our Lady of Czestochowa at St. Hyacinth Basilica, 3636 W. Wolfram St., on Aug. 31, 2008. (Catholic New World/Karen Callaway)

Cardinal George bestows the Kiss of Peace on newly ordained Deacon Francisco Foti at Queen of All Saints Basilica, 6280 N. Sauganash Ave., on May 24, 2009. Foti is part of the archdiocese's Spanish-speaking diaconate program. (Catholic New World/Karen Callaway)

Cardinal George celebrates the Eucharist with area priests during the blessing of the Our Lady of the Sign, Ark of Mercy at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Chicago on May 31, 2008. The monstrance stands nine feet tall and is hand-carved out of linden wood. (Karen Callaway, Catholic New World)

Cardinal George signs the mission statement for the new Kateri Center, following a blessing on Jan. 7, 2011. The new center, located at St. Benedict Parish, 3938 N. Leavitt St., was established in 1982 as the Anawim Center in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. The Kateri Center is a unique ministry that serves nearly 250 families in the archdiocese and the larger American Indian community and is the only Catholic ministry for American Indians in Illinois. The Center was renamed to honor Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, a Mohawk Indian maiden who dedicated her life to teaching children and serving the sick and the aged following her conversion in 1676 in upstate New York. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

Cardinal George lays his hands on Benjamin Arevalos as he confers the sacrament of priestly ordination on nine men at St. Rita High School, 7740 S. Western Ave.., on June 1, 2009. During his tenure as archbishop, Cardinal George encouraged vocations from other countries. (Catholic New World/ Karen Callaway)

Cardinal George celebrated Sunday Mass in Spanish at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines on Aug. 17, 2008. Following Mass he prayed with individual families, blessed their kids and blessed their objects of devotion. He also blessed nine children "Presentaciones." This is a tradition in the Latino community in which the children are presented either at 40 days after birth (just as our Lord) or three years after birth (just as tradition holds the Blessed Virgin Mary was presented at the temple). (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

Cardinal George claps after giving a special blessing to married couples of the parish following Mass at St. Mary Magdalene Parish, 84th and Marquette Ave., on July 18, 2010. He celebrated Mass in honor of the parish's 100th anniversary. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)