Cardinal Pell to face next hearing in sex abuse case in March

Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell will face a hearing next March to decide if there is enough evidence for him to stand trial on sex abuse charges, a court said today.

Up to 50 witnesses could be called to give evidence, the Melbourne Magistrates Court heard in a case involving allegations of multiple historical sexual offences.

Australian Pell, a top adviser to Pope Francis, strongly denies the allegations.