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.