Crucial abuse hearing for top Vatican official opens in Australia

Cardinal George Pell's barrister accused police of failing to follow proper procedures as a crucial hearing opened Monday to determine if the top Pope Francis adviser will stand trial on historical sexual offence charges. The 76-year-old, the most senior Catholic cleric to be charged with criminal offences linked to the Church's long-running sexual abuse scandal, denies all the claims. Pell, in a beige jacket on top of a black shirt with a clerical collar, arrived by car and was escorted by dozens of police as he made his way up the steps and into the Melbourne Magistrates Court.

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