The High Court has unanimously quashed the child sexual abuse convictions of Cardinal George Pell meaning he will be immediately freed from prison.

There has been an angry reaction after a Pope Francis tweet appeared to offer his support to Cardinal George Pell.

The Pope made comments in his Tuesday morning mass, just hours after the High Court overturned Pell’s convictions for the sexual abuse of children.

He then repeated similar comments on Twitter, comparing the suffering of those wrongly accused to the persecution of Jesus.

“In these days of #Lent, we’ve been witnessing the persecution that Jesus underwent and how He was judged ferociously, even though He was innocent. Let us #PrayTogether today for all those persons who suffer due to an unjust sentence because of someone had it in for them,” Pope Francis wrote on Twitter.

In these days of #Lent, we've been witnessing the persecution that Jesus underwent and how He was judged ferociously, even though He was innocent. Let us #PrayTogether today for all those persons who suffer due to an unjust sentence because of someone had it in for them. — Pope Francis (@Pontifex) April 7, 2020

The Bishop of Rome’s message drew an angry response, including from some Australians.

“Shocking. Timing of this could NOT be a coincidence given Pell decision. Unbelievably defensive - insensitive to all those who suffered sexual abuse as children,” MP Michelle Roberts said

I checked and double checked assuming it was a parody account.... — Dr Kirstin Ferguson (@kirstinferguson) April 7, 2020

There's something quite wrong with this tweet. A disappointing way to frame today's developments. — Mark Saunokonoko (@saunokonoko) April 7, 2020

Others praised his tweet.

“Thank you. This is perfect,” one person said.

“Amen Holy Father,” another said.

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The High Court on Tuesday quashed convictions that Pell sexually abused two choirboys in the 1990s, allowing the former Vatican economy minister to walk free from jail. The ruling ended the most high-profile case of alleged historical sex abuse to rock the Roman Catholic Church.

“I would like to pray today for all those people who suffer unjust sentences resulting from intransigence (against them),” the Pope said on Tuesday, speaking before the start of the mass.

Pope Francis compared the suffering of those inflicted with unjust sentences today to the way Jewish community elders persecuted Jesus with “obstinacy and rage even though he was innocent”.

The comments were a departure from the Pope’s recent prayers in the Vatican. Over the past few weeks, the Pope has focused his daily masses on the effect of the global coronavirus pandemic.

In the sermon and on Twitter he did not mention Cardinal Pell by name.

The tweet quickly drew hundreds of reactions from people who were shocked at the comment.

The Vatican had no immediate comment on the verdict on Cardinal Pell, which comes in the middle of Holy Week, the period leading up to Easter, the most important day in the Christian calendar.

—with Reuters