In an unanimous vote, the conviction of Cardinal George Pell has been overturned by Australia’s High Court, and the acquitted cardinal, who has always maintained his innocence, walks free after hundreds of days in jail, days before Easter.

“The Holy See, which has always expressed confidence in the Australian judicial authority,” the Holy See Press Office said in an April 7 statement,  “welcomes the High Court’s unanimous decision concerning Cardinal George Pell, acquitting him of the accusations of abuse of minors and overturning his sentence.”

“Entrusting his case to the court’s justice,” it continued, “Cardinal Pell has always maintained his innocence, and has waited for the truth to be ascertained.”

“At the same time,” it underscored, “the Holy See reaffirms its commitment to preventing and pursuing all cases of abuse against minors.”

"I have consistently maintained my innocence while suffering from a serious injustice," Cardinal Pell said in a statement after the decision. He had served more than 400 days of his sentence and cannot be retried on the charges. . .

Cardinal Pell said an injustice had been "remedied", and said he held "no ill will to my accuser".
"I do not want my acquittal to add to the hurt and bitterness so many feel; there is certainly hurt and bitterness enough," he said in a statement.