Cardinal George Pell proclaims innocence, says 'sexual abuse is abhorrent'

Pope Francis has granted Cardinal George Pell leave to return to Australia to face charges of historic sexual abuse announced on Thursday by Victoria Police.

At a news conference in Rome called hours after Australian police charged him with multiple offences, Pell said he would return to clear his name after a two-year investigation he described as a "relentless character assassination."

"I've kept Pope Francis, the Holy Father, regularly informed during these long months," Cardinal Pell said.

"I have spoken to him on a number of occasions in the last week.

"We talked about my need to take leave to clear my name.

"So I'm grateful to the Holy Father for giving me this leave to return to Australia".

In his statement Cardinal Pell said the charges of multiple historical sexual assault "now offer me the opportunity to clear my name and then return back here to Rome to work."

Cardinal Pell has said he is innocent of the historical sexual abuse charges laid against him and that "the whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent" to him.

"These matters have been under investigation now for two years," Cardinal Pell said.

"There have been leaks to the media. There have been relentless character assassinations. And for more than one month, claims that a decision on whether to lay charges was imminent."

His statement 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.

Victoria Police Acting Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said at a press conference earlier on Thursday that the sexual offences were historic.

"He is facing multiple charges ... and there are multiple complaints relating to those charges."

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.

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 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.