Cardinal George, Battling Foot Infection, Attends Catholic Extension Society Dinner
(CBS) -- Francis Cardinal George is battling an infection in his foot but didn't let that prevent him from attending a Catholic Extension Society dinner in Lincolnshire Wednesday evening.
Cardinal George was seen leaving his residence in crutches on his way up to Lincolnshire. Cardinal George is battling an infection in his right foot called cellulitis and the infection appears to be a side effect of the experimental medication he has been taking for his bout with kidney cancer.
CBS 2's Pamela Jones reports the cardinal arrived at the dinner without speaking to reporters but got a rousing applause as he entered the event tent surrounded by clergy cheering him on. Seminarians from Mundelein say they were looking forward to seeing the cardinal
"Well, I've been praying for Cardinal George ever since he got sick. Again, we all have at Mundelein Seminary," said Dominic Clemente.
"It's sad, and you know, it's rough that he's going through these illnesses and this sickness," said seminarian Chris Lankford.
On Wednesday, the archdiocese explained: "The Cardinal is being treated with antibiotics for a cellulitis infection in his right foot that may require him to use crutches for the near future."
A condition the archdiocese says forced the Cardinal to cancel travel plans for later this week.
Wednesday night's dinner was another chance for the cardinal to commune with Archbishop Designate Blase Cupich.
There was lots of excitement among those gathered at the dinner after he presided over an earlier Catholic Extension Society event.
"He came and had Mass with us yesterday morning and he just seems like an humble holy and a very sincere man" said Dominic Clemente.