POPE'S AIDE. Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell speaks to the media at the Quirinale hotel in Rome on March 3, 2016. File photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell became the highest-ranked Catholic ever to be sent to trial over historic sex offenses Tuesday, May 1, with the elderly priest vowing to fight the charges. The 76-year-old was impassive throughout the hearing in Melbourne that ordered him to face a jury on "multiple" charges, although at least half of the allegations against him, including some of the most serious, were thrown out. "Not guilty," the top aide to Pope Francis said loudly and without hesitation when asked his plea, a stance he has taken since first being charged last year.
Melbourne magistrate Belinda Wallington said she was "satisfied" there was enough evidence for a conviction on "multiple" charges with a directions hearing due on Wednesday, May 2, to discuss a trial date.
https://www.rappler.com/world/regions/asia-pacific/201485-vatican-cardinal-george-pell-trial
https://www.rappler.com/world/regions/asia-pacific/201485-vatican-cardinal-george-pell-trial