Pope aide Pell pleads not guilty after being sent to trial on sex offences

Melbourne (AFP) – Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell pleaded not guilty Tuesday after being ordered to stand trial on multiple historical sexual offence charges in Australia.

The 76-year-old, who entered the Melbourne court with a heavy police presence, said “not guilty” without hesitation when asked.

Melbourne magistrate Belinda Wallington said there was enough evidence to send the top advisor to Pope Francis to face a jury on “multiple” charges, while dismissing other allegations against him.

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