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.



Cardinal George Pell has arrived at a Melbourne court to make his first appearance as the highest-ranking Catholic official to be charged with sexual offences.

One of the most powerful people in the Catholic Church, Cardinal Pell made the short trip from his lawyers' offices on Lonsdale Street to Melbourne Magistrates Court just before 9am on Tuesday.

The 76-year-old has taken leave from his position as Vatican treasurer to return to Australia to fight charges relating to historical sexual offences involving multiple complainants. Details of the charges are yet to be revealed.