Family, journalists pay tribute to Novak

WASHINGTON (AP) — Political columnist Robert Novak was remembered as a man committed to his faith, family and his craft at his funeral mass.

Friends, family and fellow journalists paid tribute to the proud owner of the “Prince of Darkness” moniker Friday in downtown Washington.

Former White House adviser Karl Rove was among those in attendance.

Novak died Tuesday after a battle with brain cancer that was diagnosed in July 2008. He was 78.

Novak is perhaps best known as a co-host of several of CNN’s political talk shows, including “Crossfire.” He had been a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times for decades.

Novak later become a central figure in the Valerie Plame CIA leak case. He was the first to publish the name of the CIA employee.