australian cardinal George Pell, former Minister of Economy Vatican and controversial figure One of the leading figures of the Catholic Church, accused, convicted and later acquitted of sexual harassment in his country, has died in Rome at the age of 81. This was confirmed this Wednesday, shortly after the cardinal died at the Rome hospital, Salvador Mundi. hip surgery.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Cardinal George Pell a few hours ago. for cardiac complications “After hip surgery,” explained Peter Comensoli, Archbishop of Melbourne. According to what has emerged, the cardinal’s funeral to be transferred to Australia in the next few daysSydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral, where he was expected to be buried.
Before Benedict XVI and one of Francisco’s main collaborators and senior positions In the Vatican, it was accused in 2017 Due to alleged pedophilia crimes committed by the Australian justice system in the 1990s, this prompted him to step down as head of the Vatican’s financial affairs at the time and return to his country in self-defense.
ongoing litigation
However, Pell He has always denied these accusations and after passing in 2021 more than a year and a half in prison The Australian was acquitted by the Supreme Court of Australia (following two previous guilty verdicts).
Again, psychological compensation case It will continue, and will continue, even after the cardinal’s death, as Lisa Flynn, the director of the Shine Lawyers firm and attorney representing one of the complainants, pointed out at this time. Victim of violence and died in 2014 accidental overdose.
In this context, the cardinal’s death caused a stir. a wave of mixed reactions With others inside and outside the church who remember his alleged flaws and identify him as a murder victim. vatican intrigues.