Cardinals, bishops and church officials from around the world gathered at the holy site just four days after the Australian died from complications following a routine surgery.
George Pell, one of the most influential and divisive figures within the Catholic Church of recent decades, has been farewelled at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
The Swiss Guard, in their distinct dress uniform of blue, red, orange and yellow stripes and equipped with ancient halberds, were positioned throughout the basilica, keeping a watchful eye on the service. The service was open to the public with mourners, mostly cardinals, priests, nuns and pilgrims, packed into a cordoned-off area in front of the altar while a group of tourists watched from behind the barrier.
A priest from the diocese of Ballarat, Pell was appointed as auxiliary bishop for Melbourne in 1987 and as archbishop in 1996. He was named archbishop of Sydney in 2001 and made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2003. Pell’s personal secretary, Father Joseph Hamilton, declined to comment on the report and Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said he had no comment.
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