John Mccain's Decision to Stop His Cancer Treatment
JOHN MCCAIN, SENATOR, ARIZONA: It's not been perfect service to be sure and there were probably times when the country might have benefited little less of my help. But I've tried to deserve the privilege as best I can. And I have been repaid a thousand times over with adventures, with good company, with the satisfaction of serving something more important than myself, of being a big player in the extraordinary story of America, and I am so grateful.</s>BLACKWELL: That, of course, is Senator John McCain. He is known for his tireless service to and his sacrifice for his country. And news that he is discontinuing cancer treatment was met with sadness from lawmakers in Washington and supporters across the country. The 81- year-old Senator has been battling brain cancer for more than a year now. And as the Senator writes in his memoir of his life, it has been "quite a ride." Joining me now, Stephanie Elam in Sedona. Stephanie, what are you hearing from the people there in Arizona who know the Senator best?</s>STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN REPORTER: Well, when you take a look at the last year for the Senator and his family, this has obviously been a very difficult time. But pretty much true to McCain's style, he's done things the way that he wanted to. I mean, if you look back at the Senator's life, and you look at his political career, you look at the times that he really stuck by his guns and stuck by what he believed in, even if it wasn't popular. And so it seems that this transition is being handled in much the same way, the family putting out a statement. In part, I just want to read this one part, since they've known that he has been battling this cancer for over a year, saying, "In the years since, John has surpassed expectations for his survival, but the progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age render their verdict." And so we have seen the Senator, even as recently as July, speaking out on what he is seeing in politics, saying when he agrees with the President or not, still speaking out and doing that all the way up here to where we are now. And keep in mind, we are four days away from his 82nd birthday. But it's clear that this has been a concerted effort with the Senator's family as well. His wife Cindy McCain tweeting, "I love my husband with all my heart. God bless everyone who cared for my husband along the journey." Megan McCain also tweeting out her love and support for people who have reached out with their commentary about their feelings and love for the Senator. But would you take a look at what he's meant for Arizona, where he has run for the Senate, I believe, four times. He also ran to be President twice. This is a man who, whether you believe with his beliefs or not, clearly loves America and is truly a patriot. And you can see that outpouring here at this time, Victor.</s>BLACKWELL: Indeed, well wishes from around the world, in fact. Stephanie Elam for us in Sedona this morning, Stephanie, thank you.</s>PAUL: Well, moments ago, Pope Francis addressed the Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal. He did it during the first papal visit to Ireland in nearly 40 years. We are going to tell you what he said. Stay close.