Updated

Chicago's retired Cardinal Francis George has been readmitted to the hospital several months after he stopped treatment for kidney cancer.

The Archdiocese of Chicago said Saturday that George was admitted to Loyola University Medical Center for treatment of what it described as "hydration issues and pain management."

The statement provided no other details on his condition, but said George asks the faithful to pray for him.

George said in January that doctors had run out of options for his cancer treatment and he was focusing on quality of life rather than a cure. He stopped receiving an experimental drug treatment in December because it wasn't working.

George stepped down as leader of Chicago's more than 2 million Roman Catholics in November. Blase Cupich (blayz SOO'-pich) became Chicago's archbishop.