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| Cardinal Pell arrives at court to face assault charges | Cardinal Pell arrives at court to face assault charges |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Cardinal George Pell has arrived at an Australian court, amid a large media scrum, to face charges of sexual assault. | Cardinal George Pell has arrived at an Australian court, amid a large media scrum, to face charges of sexual assault. |
| The Vatican treasurer, 76, is accused of historical assaults involving "multiple complainants", Victorian police said last month. | The Vatican treasurer, 76, is accused of historical assaults involving "multiple complainants", Victorian police said last month. |
| He has said he will strenuously defend himself against the allegations. | He has said he will strenuously defend himself against the allegations. |
| Cardinal Pell made no comment as he entered Melbourne Magistrates' Court flanked by police officers. | Cardinal Pell made no comment as he entered Melbourne Magistrates' Court flanked by police officers. |
| Dozens of local and international media representatives have gathered outside the court, along with security guards and other onlookers. | Dozens of local and international media representatives have gathered outside the court, along with security guards and other onlookers. |
| The filing hearing, which is expected to be brief, will take place in a courtroom that can accommodate about 50 people, local media said. | The filing hearing, which is expected to be brief, will take place in a courtroom that can accommodate about 50 people, local media said. |
| Last month, Cardinal Pell said he was "looking forward" to his day in court. | Last month, Cardinal Pell said he was "looking forward" to his day in court. |
| Standing room only | |
| Phil Mercer, BBC News, Melbourne | |
| Cardinal Pell had to slowly wade through a legion of camera crews and reporters to reach the entrance of the court. | Cardinal Pell had to slowly wade through a legion of camera crews and reporters to reach the entrance of the court. |
| He has vowed to vigorously defend himself against the allegations, and here he was at the start of what could be lengthy legal proceedings. | He has vowed to vigorously defend himself against the allegations, and here he was at the start of what could be lengthy legal proceedings. |
| Rarely has an Australian court been besieged by such a large media contingent, with their satellite trucks and coverage taking the story all over the world. | Rarely has an Australian court been besieged by such a large media contingent, with their satellite trucks and coverage taking the story all over the world. |
| Pedestrians were forced off the pavement on to the road outside, while one passing motorist paused briefly to shout abuse at reporters. | Pedestrians were forced off the pavement on to the road outside, while one passing motorist paused briefly to shout abuse at reporters. |
| Supporters of Australia's most prominent Catholic figure had also gathered, queuing patiently to witness the hearing. | Supporters of Australia's most prominent Catholic figure had also gathered, queuing patiently to witness the hearing. |
| A middle-aged woman told me she was here with friends to "support George" as other curious onlookers captured the scene on their smartphones. | A middle-aged woman told me she was here with friends to "support George" as other curious onlookers captured the scene on their smartphones. |
| Cardinal Pell arrived in his home country earlier this month, after being granted a leave of absence from the Vatican to fight the charges. | |
| Victoria Police said they had made the decision to charge the cleric after receiving advice from prosecutors earlier this year. | |
| "Cardinal Pell is facing multiple charges and there are multiple complainants," Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said last month. | "Cardinal Pell is facing multiple charges and there are multiple complainants," Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said last month. |
| Last month, Cardinal Pell told reporters: "I am innocent of these charges, they are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me." | Last month, Cardinal Pell told reporters: "I am innocent of these charges, they are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me." |
| He said in a press briefing at the Holy See that he had been the subject of a "relentless character assassination". | He said in a press briefing at the Holy See that he had been the subject of a "relentless character assassination". |
| As Vatican treasurer, Cardinal Pell is considered to be the third-ranking official in the Catholic Church. | As Vatican treasurer, Cardinal Pell is considered to be the third-ranking official in the Catholic Church. |