Cardinal George Pell is taking leave of his Vatican duties after informing the Pope he plans to return to Australia to fight historical sexual assault charges in court and clear his name.

Pell said he had been the victim of "relentless character assassination" and the charges "strengthened his resolve" to clear his name.

He said he wanted to return to Australia for his "day in court", after being granted leave by Pope Francis.

"I'm looking forward, finally, to having my day in court," he said.

"I'm innocent of those charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.

"There have been leaks to the media. There has been relentless character assassination."

In a press conference from the Vatican, Pell said he had spoken to Pope Francis about the case and had been granted leave.

"I've kept Pope Francis, the Holy Father, regularly informed during these long months," he said.

"I have spoken to him on a number of occasions in the last week. We talked about my need to take leave to clear my name.

"So I'm grateful to the Holy Father for giving me this leave to return to Australia."

In a press conference from the Vatican, Pell said he had spoken to Pope Francis about the case and had been granted leave. ( AP: Gregorio Borgia )

Pell reiterated his innocence saying he had spoken to his lawyers about when he needed to return, and to his doctors about how to travel to Australia.

Papal Office not backing away Religion expert Noel Debien says the statement reveals a lot about both the Vatican and George Pell It was made clear by both Cardinal Pell and the Pope, speaking through the Holy See, that the Cardinal will face the charges, that he is taking leave and is stepping away from his duties, not that he is being stood down. That suggests Pope Francis is being even handed and careful, maintaining confidence in Cardinal Pell in a way that shows he believes he is innocent. What's interesting is that the Vatican has not invoked diplomatic immunity, signalling what the Pope's policy would be if this happened to anyone else in the church's leadership - that he would expect foreign nationals to go home, even though they have Vatican citizenship. As for Cardinal Pell, what we saw on Thursday was a man of great resolve; His demeanour was extremely confident, and he did not look like a man whose nerves are shattered and who doesn't know how to defend himself. I expect he will defend himself vigorously and strenuously, as he has done to this point. He has been accused in the past of not showing enough empathy, of not showing his emotions. That's probably a fair criticism of the Cardinal, but on Thursday he did use strong and emotional language to express abhorrence, which was likely quite deliberate on his part, to dispel that criticism. — Analysis by Noel Debien

"All along, I have been completely consistent and clear in my total rejection of these allegations," he said.

"News of these charges strengthens my resolve, strengthens my resolve.

"Court proceedings now offer me an opportunity to clear my name and then return here, back to Rome to work."

Pell, Australia's most senior Catholic cleric, has been ordered to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on July 26, after Victoria Police served charges on his legal representatives.

Victoria Police Deputy Police Commissioner Shane Patton earlier told reporters the charges involved multiple complainants.

A magistrate will decide whether to release the details and the nature of the charges at a separate hearing on July 6.

Deputy Commissioner Patton said the "process and procedures" being followed had been the same as those applied "in a whole range of historical sex offences, whenever we investigate them".

"The fact that he has been charged on summons — we have used advice from the Office of Public Prosecutions and also we have engaged with his legal representatives, which is common and standard practice."

Pell has been ordered to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on July 18 ( AP: Gregorio Borgia )

As head of the Vatican's finances, Pell is considered number three in the Catholic hierarchy behind the Pope.

A statement from the Vatican said the Pope recognised the importance of Pell's participation to ensure the process was carried out fairly and to foster the search for truth.

"The Holy See expresses its respect for the Australian justice system that will have to decide the merits of the questions raised," the statement said.

"At the same time, it is important to recall that Cardinal Pell has openly and repeatedly condemned as immoral and intolerable, the acts of abuse committed against minors, has cooperated in the past with Australian authorities (for example, in his depositions from the royal commission).

"And as a diocesan bishop in Australia, has introduced systems and procedures both for the protection of minors and to provide assistance to victims of abuse."

Holy See spokesman Greg Burke said from now on, Pell would not be going out to do public liturgical events.

Process 'needs to be fair'

Paul Tatchel, a survivor of historical clergy abuse, said the legal system was slow for a good reason.

"Because it needs to be thorough and it needs to be fair," he said.

"One thing that's come out of this is that survivors have to become very resilient to time and appreciate that we have to go through the process.

"And everyone deserves that process."

Andrew Collins, another survivor of historical clergy abuse, said it was a watershed moment for the Catholic Church.

"We have to remember all the way along that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty," he said.

"But we also must remember that there are alleged victims as well that have a story to tell."

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.