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.

Rome: The charges laid against Vatican finance chief, Australian Cardinal George Pell, are the subject of heavy coverage in the Italian media, with outlets attacking Australia's record on sexual assault.

Cardinal Pell was on Thursday charged by Victorian Police with historical sexual assault offences.

He's the most senior Catholic Church cleric to face such charges.