Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell returned to Australia to face his sex abuse charges. The 76-year-old has a preliminary court hearing on July 26 on sexual assault charges from when he was senior cleric in Australia. “I am looking forward finally to having my day in court. I am innocent of these charges...They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me," Pell While Pope Francis gave him a leave of absence, the pope said the cardinal would not have to resign from his post.