Cardinal George Pell is due to front a Melbourne court for the first time today as he fights historical sexual offence charges.
Australia’s most senior Catholic was charged by Victoria Police detectives late last month with offences involving multiple complainants.
The details of the allegations have not been made public.
The Pope granted Pell leave to return to Australia from the Vatican for his first appearance in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.
A court spokeswoman said he would not receive any special treatment.
Pell will front a short hearing in which dates will be set for his next appearance.
He is not legally required to appear in person and could have opted to have a lawyer represent him instead.
But it is understood he will be in court, represented by top criminal barrister Robert Richter QC.
Last month, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton told reporters the “process and procedures” being followed had been the same as those applied “in a whole range of historical sex offences, whenever we investigate them”.
Pell has always maintained his innocence and strenuously denied allegations of historical sexual abuse.
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