On the advice of doctors, Cardinal Francis George has cancelled trip to Rome for the canonization of Pope John Paul II and John XXIII. Last month, he was diagnosed with a new cancer and had undergone two rounds of chemotherapy for it.

After a gap, he has started chemotherapy. The brief break was due to treatments meant to address an infection and flu-like symptoms for which he was hospitalized as well. On Tuesday, he was present at Saint Xavier University to deliver a lecture and there made the announcement.

"George feels it would not be sensible to travel to Rome and then get sick. I can't risk another infection. It will be very crowded. It would be very foolish to go over there", affirmed George.

It is the second trip that Cardinal George has cancelled due to illness over the past few days. Earlier, he cancelled a visit to communities in Oregon and Washington. These are the places where he had served as bishop and archbishop.

George was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2006 and again in 2012, he fought with cancer as it returned to his kidney and liver. For more than a year, George said his was in remission, but has shown signs of activity.

George will be in Chicago during Holy Week starting from Chicago. He thinks to be part of the week is more important than being in Rome. Church officials said he would serve as the altar during worship services. But it is expected that he would avoid distributing communion and personally greeting parishioners due to health issues.