Cardinal George Pell 'looking forward to his day in court' following historic sex abuse charges

Cardinal Pell said he is "looking forward to his day in court" and confirmed he will return to Australia to "vigorously deny" several charges of historical sex abuse.

In a statement the Cardinal said he would return "as soon as possible, to clear his name following advice and approval from his doctors who will advise on his travel arrangements" to face the charges against him in Victoria.

"Although it is still in the early hours of the morning in Rome, Cardinal George Pell has been informed of the decision and action of Victoria Police," the press release said.

"He has strenuously denied all allegations.

"He said he is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously," the statement said, adding there would be further comment from the Holy See Press Office at 4.30pm AEST.

It follows the Victoria Police announcement on Thursday morning that Cardinal Pell had been "charged on several counts" of historic sex abuse and was summoned to front the Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18.

"He is facing multiple charges in respect to historic sexual offences and there are multiple complaints relating to those charges," Victoria Police Acting Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said at a press conference.

Commissioner Patton hit back at "media speculation" about delays, saying police did not give Pell any special treatment and followed the same process of investigation afforded to other members of the public in relation to historic sex abuse allegations.

"The fact he has been charged on summons, we have used advice from the office of public prosecutions and we have engaged with his legal representatives," he said.

"That is common and standard practice and there is no change to any procedures whatsoever. He has been treated the same as anyone else in this investigation.

"The advice was received and sought from the Office of Public Prosecutions and the choice to charge him was made by Victoria police."

While the commissioner did not confirm what allegations Cardinal Pell had been charged over, he said it was important he be given his day in court.

"It's important to note that none of the allegations that have been made against Cardinal George Pell have been tested in any court yet.

"Like any other defendant, he has the right to due process and, therefore, it's important that the process is allowed to run its natural course," he said at press conference on Thursday.

The most senior Catholic to face sex abuse charges

Cardinal Pell, who currently holds the office of Prefect of the Secretariat of the Economy at the Vatican, is the most senior Catholic to face allegations of sexual abuse.

The Cardinal has consistently denied the allegations against him and last year said, "I'd just like to restate my innocence," when the accusations surfaced.

"I stand by everything I've said at the royal commission [into institutional child sexual abuse] and in other places," he said.

"We have to respect due process, wait until it's concluded and obviously I'll continue to cooperate fully."

Asked if he would be prepared to go to Australia, the Cardinal said he would "continue to cooperate fully".

The number three Catholic at the Vatican said he was too ill to return home last year and provide evidence at the royal commission into institutional abuse.

Instead, the Cardinal provided evidence via video link from Rome.

Last month it was reported the Office of Public Prosecution had returned a brief of evidence against Cardinal Pell for the second time.

Earlier this month Victoria's highest-ranking police officer said a decision to pursue charges against Cardinal Pell would be "imminent".

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton told ABC radio Cardinal Pell's lawyers would be told first, once a decision is made whether to charge him.

"A decision is imminent," Mr Ashton told ABC earlier in June.

"There is a great deal of public interest in it [the George Pell case].

"We'll get something out soon," the commissioner said at the time.

In May Mr Ashton said the DPP advice was being reviewed, suggesting the investigation was "complex".

The lead detective and officer in charge of the Sano task force, which investigates allegations arising from a Victorian parliamentary inquiry and the royal commission into institutional sexual abuse, had undertaken the review.

"They're working their way back through that final advice now, so activity on it is not far off one way or another," Mr Ashton said.