The Latest Breaking News on Protesters tie ribbons outside Melbourne mass for Pell

George Pell spent his final days penning an article furiously criticising the Vatican and its leader Pope Francis, coming as no shock to those who knew him.

The most senior Australian member of the Catholic clergy will be farewelled in a mass at the same Vatican church where former pope Benedict's funeral was held.

Pope Francis will deliver a final send-off for Cardinal George Pell in a funeral Mass on Saturday, the Vatican has said, as revelations emerge of the Australian prelate’s growing concern about what he considered the “disaster” and “catastrophe” of the papacy under Francis.

Pope Francis will deliver a final send-off for Cardinal George Pell during a funeral Mass on Saturday

Sydney (AFP) - An Australian state leader on Thursday emphatically ruled out a taxpayer-funded memorial for Cardinal George Pell, saying it would be "deeply distressing" for sexual abuse survivors. 

Pope Francis yesterday praised the late Australian cardinal George Pell for persevering in trying times – a reference to when he spent more than a year in prison accused of child sexual abuse, before he was fully acquitted.

The regular Thursday mass at St Patrick's Cathedral in Ballarat took on a more sombre tone at a service a day after Cardinal George Pell's death in Rome.

Victorian premier says those abused ‘at the hands of the Catholic church’ are foremost in his thoughts

Pell mourned by many, but not by all