Cardinal George Pell has faced a directions hearing in the Victorian County Court, where he will face trial on historical sexual offences.

On Tuesday Australia's most senior Catholic cleric entered a plea of not guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court after being committed to stand trial on offences relating to multiple complainants.

The 76-year-old was again escorted into court by police for the short procedural hearing.

His bail was extended and he will return to court in a fortnight.

Under Cardinal Pell's bail conditions, he has surrendered his passport and is not allowed to leave Australia.

Magistrate Belinda Wallington struck out about half of the charges, including the most serious, on Tuesday.

She found in those cases, there was not enough evidence for a jury to convict Cardinal Pell.

The Vatican issued a statement saying Cardinal Pell's leave of absence would remain in place.

"The Holy See has taken note of the decision issued by judicial authorities in Australia regarding His Eminence Cardinal George Pell," it said.

"Last year, the Holy Father granted Cardinal Pell a leave of absence so he could defend himself from the accusations. The leave of absence is still in place."

Editor's note: On Tuesday April 7, 2020, the High Court in a unanimous decision upheld Cardinal Pell's appeal and quashed his convictions on all five charges.