Chicago’s Archbishop Will Have Exploratory Cancer Surgery

Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin has been found to have what is probably pancreatic cancer and will undergo exploratory surgery next week, the Archdiocese of Chicago said Friday.

Dr. Warren Furey told reporters that the prognosis for the type of cancer the 67-year-old prelate appears to have is usually “not good,” but he expressed hope that in this case the diagnosis had been made early enough. He said surgery was expected on Monday.

“The possibilities are very, very great that it is a malignant tumor,” Furey said.

A statement issued by the archdiocese also said doctors believe that there may be a second tumor in one of the cardinal’s kidneys.

Bernardin sought medical help last month after noticing blood in his urine, officials said, but the tumor was not found until an endoscopy was performed earlier this week.

He will undergo the surgery at Loyola University Medical Center in suburban Maywood, Furey said.

Bernardin said he hopes the surgery is successful, but that he is prepared for whatever occurs.

“I just place myself in the hands of the Lord, and that’s all I can do,” he said.

Bernardin has been archbishop of Chicago since 1982.

The son of an Italian stonecutter, Bernardin is a native of Columbia, S.C.