Victoria Police are considering whether to charge Catholic Cardinal George Pell over sexual assault allegations dating back to the late 1970s after receiving advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Key points: DPP provided advice to Victoria Police about sexual assault allegations against the Cardinal dating back to 1978

DPP provided advice to Victoria Police about sexual assault allegations against the Cardinal dating back to 1978 Police to consider laying charges, after three officers flew to Rome last year to interview George Pell

Police to consider laying charges, after three officers flew to Rome last year to interview George Pell He strenuously denied the allegations saying they were untrue, completely wrong

Three Victorian detectives flew to Rome last year to conduct a voluntary interview with Cardinal Pell.

Police have issued a statement today saying they had received advice from Victoria's DPP about a current investigation into sexual assault allegations and detectives would consider the advice before any charges were laid.

The complaints include those by two men now aged in their 40s, from Cardinal Pell's hometown of Ballarat, who say he touched them inappropriately in the summer of 1978-79 when he was playing a throwing game with them at the town's pool.

Cardinal Pell's office issued a statement at the time, saying he had never abused anyone.

Outside the Vatican today, Cardinal Pell again denied any wrongdoing.

"I would just like to restate my innocence. I stand by everything I have said at the Royal Commission [into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse] and in other places," he told Australian media.

"We have to respect due process … I will continue to cooperate fully."

Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Timothy Fisher also released a statement today saying Cardinal Pell was the victim of "relentless character" attacks in the media.

Cardinal Pell has always strenuously denied the allegations. ( AAP: Joe Castro, file photo )

He said the media had repeated allegations which had been "thoroughly answered."

"Cardinal Pell has cooperated in every way with multiple police, parliamentary and royal commission investigations," he said.

"Everyone supports just investigation of complaints but the relentless character attacks on Cardinal Pell, by some, stand the principle of innocent-until-proven-guilty on its head.

"Australians have a right to expect better from their legal systems and the media. Even churchmen have a right to 'a fair go'".

Archbishop Fisher said the church did not know what recommendations the DPP had made to police.

"The final decision now rests with the Victorian Police. Until the police make their decision we must wait and see," he said.

"Justice must be left to run its course."

On his way to becoming Australia's most senior Catholic, Cardinal Pell was a priest in the Ballarat diocese before becoming the Archbishop of Melbourne and then Sydney.

Cardinal Pell is currently based at the Vatican in the high-ranking role of Secretariat for the Economy, commonly described as the Vatican's financial boss.

'Diplomatic immunity' could complicate case: lawyer

Lawyer Vivian Waller, who has represented many abuse victims who have taken action against religious clergy, said the investigation must be allowed to run its course.

But if Cardinal Pell was charged, it would raise "fairly complex" jurisdictional questions in the criminal process, she said.

"We don't have an extradition treaty with the Vatican and potentially someone in Cardinal Pell's position would be entitled to some sort of diplomatic immunity," Dr Waller told ABC Radio Melbourne.

"I imagine there would be complex questions that arise if in fact Victoria Police do charge."

Dr Waller said she had been encouraged by the responses from the Catholic Church during the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

However, things have changed since the commission has wrapped up its final case study.

"Certainly in Ireland, when the royal commission ended there, there was quite a big pushback from Catholic entities and their insurers.

"In my opinion and in my experience over the last few weeks, we're starting to feel that in Victoria already."