Cardinal George Pell dies aged 81 - BBC

Cardinal George Pell, whose condemnation connected kid maltreatment charges shocked the Catholic Church earlier being quashed, has died astatine 81.

The erstwhile Vatican treasurer is Australia's highest ranking Catholic cleric, and the astir elder religion fig ever jailed for specified offences.

He died of bosom complications aft hep surgery, religion officials say.

Cardinal Pell served arsenic Archbishop of some Melbourne and Sydney earlier becoming 1 of the Pope's apical aides.

In 2014 helium was tasked with overseeing the Vatican's finances, but helium near his station successful 2017, returning to Australia to look proceedings connected kid enactment maltreatment charges.

A assemblage successful 2018 recovered helium had abused 2 boys portion Archbishop of Melbourne successful the 1990s.

Cardinal Pell - who ever maintained his innocence - spent 13 months successful situation earlier the High Court of Australia quashed the verdict successful 2020.

He returned to Rome upon his merchandise from custody, and past week attended the ceremonial of Pope Benedict XVI.

The Archbishop of Sydney described the quality arsenic a "great shock", portion Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli paid tribute to the cardinal arsenic a antheral "deeply committed to Christian discipleship".

"Cardinal Pell was a precise important and influential Church leader, some successful Australia and internationally," helium said.