Pope aide Pell pleads not guilty after being sent to trial on sex offences

Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell pleaded not guilty today after being ordered to stand trial on multiple historical sexual offence charges in Australia.

The 76-year-old, who entered the Melbourne court with a heavy police presence, said "not guilty" without hesitation when asked.

Melbourne magistrate Belinda Wallington said there was enough evidence to send the top adviser to Pope Francis to face a jury on "multiple" charges, while dismissing other allegations against him.