EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says George Pell will lose his Order of Australia after Victoria's Court of Appeal upheld his guilty verdict on historic child sex abuse charges.

Mr Morrison said his sympathies were with the victims of child sexual abuse and encouraged them to seek support, while Governor-General David Hurley said he would wait until Pell makes a decision about a possible further appeal before "terminating" his prestigious Order of Australia.

Former prime minister John Howard - who provided a character reference for the cardinal last year - said he had no comment about Pell's failed appeal.