Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Chicago cardinal says he wants to continue job

The Chicago cardinal is required to submit a retirement letter next month when he turns 75, but he hopes that Pope Benedict XVI won't accept it.

George tells Chicago station WLS-TV (http://bit.ly/uroYo5 ) that he hopes the pope waits a few years. 

George says he's first archbishop of Chicago who's lived long enough to do so and he's happy about that. 

The cancer survivor says he feels good about his health.

George's birthday is Jan. 16.

Recently, he's faced criticism for comments he made comparing the gay rights movement to the Ku Klux Klan

The comments followed a Catholic church's request to change the route of the city's annual gay pride parade following concerns that crowds would block access to Sunday Masses.