Cardinal George Pell, Australia's highest-ranking Catholic official, has faced court for the first time to answer charges of historical sex offences, with his lawyer saying he will plead not guilty.
The cardinal was not required to enter a plea, but his high-profile defence barrister Robert Richter, QC, told the packed courtroom at the Melbourne Magistrates Court his client would plead not guilty.
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RAW VIDEO: Pell arrives in court
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A large media pack swarms Cardinal George Pell as he fronts court for the first time on historical sex offence charges.
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RAW VIDEO: Pell arrives in court
A large media pack swarms Cardinal George Pell as he fronts court for the first time on historical sex offence charges.
"For the avoidance of doubt and because of the interest, I might indicate that Cardinal Pell pleads not guilty to all charges and will maintain the presumed innocence that he has," he said.
Cardinal Pell did not say a word during the hearing.
The 76-year-old has taken leave from his position as Vatican treasurer to return to Australia to fight historical sexual offence charges involving multiple complainants. Details of the charges are yet to be revealed.
The cardinal, who is understood to be the most senior Catholic official to ever face charges of sexual offences, sat in the front row of the court's public gallery, behind his legal team, while the timetable of his case was discussed.
The hearing lasted just six minutes, before Magistrate Duncan Reynolds adjourned the case to October 6.
The cardinal will not have to formally enter a plea unless a magistrate decides there is enough evidence for him to stand trial.
"It's only if the accused is committed to trial that he will be called upon to enter a formal plea," Mr Reynolds said.
Prosecutor Andrew Tinney, SC, told the court it was important reporters and social media users "abide by the rules" when reporting the case and discussing it online.
Mr Tinney said prosecutors were due to pass on the brief of evidence to Cardinal Pell's legal team by September 8, but would likely do so by next week.
Supporters gather with the media
As the cardinal left the courtroom, four people in the foyer called out: "God bless you, Cardinal Pell."
He emerged from the courthouse at 10.10am to chaotic scenes, as he was swarmed by the media pack that had assembled at the entrance. Police were forced to close part of Lonsdale Street as the cardinal, flanked by a dozen officers, made his way through the throng of reporters and camera crews.
One woman repeatedly called out, "Shame on you George Pell," while another yelled: "Fair trial for George Pell". Another woman shouted: "How does it feel?"
The cardinal did not respond to the comments and showed no emotion as he left the court building.
He was pursued by photographers and camera crews along Lonsdale Street, before he disappeared into his lawyers' offices.
Among the handful of supporters for Cardinal Pell was Karen Baxter, who held a sign that read, "Thanks for helping our family".
She said she was not "here to say someone's innocent or someone's guilty", but wanted Cardinal Pell to be given the benefit of the doubt and not be subjected to trial by media.
"I knew him as kid, when he was ordained as a bishop. We had no problem, he's always been nice to me," she said.
"He's always been polite and friendly, he's always been very methodical in his thinking."
She said the cardinal had ensured her adopted children could attend a Catholic school.
"I have adopted children. They all go to a Catholic school," she said. "My kids wouldn't have got in if it wasn't for him personally; he made some of the Catholic schools affordable. My kids are benefiting from the effort he put in when he was bishop here."
A man standing next to Ms Baxter recited prayers as he held rosary beads.
Another supporter, Beverley Hastie, said the cardinal had a lot of support in the Catholic community.
"He came to all the dinners and debutante balls," she said. "He's a really nice, good guy, it's very sad that it's happened to him."
The cardinal was not obliged to attend court on Wednesday, but said last month he was looking forward to his day in court, when he would vigorously defend the charges, and flew back to Australia a fortnight later.
How the morning unfolded
Reporters, including a large crew from US broadcaster CNN, were assembled outside the court building well before 6am on Wednesday. The media pack steadily grew until the doors opened at 8.30am.
Several protesters also arrived early, with one woman holding a framed painting of the Virgin Mary.
The court long maintained it would take a business-as-usual approach to the high-profile case. Although he was surrounded by police when he arrived, the cardinal was screened by court security, like everyone else.
The courtroom was opened at 9.15am.
The small courtroom's 37 seats were quickly filled by media and members of the public. With only standing room left, media sketch artists had to sit in the dock.
Court staff arranged for a second court to be opened to accommodate extra onlookers, with a video link between the two courtrooms.
The filing hearing marks the first stage of what is expected to be a lengthy legal process.
- with Matilda Boseley and AAP