Cardinal George Pell will return to an Australian court in March to defend charges of sexual assault.
The Vatican treasurer, 76 is accused of historical assaults involving “multiple complainants” in the state of Victoria.
He has strongly and consistently denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer has said the cleric will plead not guilty to all charges.
Cardinal Pell faced a brief procedural hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
He will now face a four-week committal hearing from 5 March.
At that hearing, a magistrate will decide whether there is enough evidence for the case to go trial. Details of the charges have not been revealed.
Cardinal Pell was not required to appear in person on Friday, but opted to do so alongside his lawyer. He was flanked by police as he entered court.
Dozens of media representatives and members of the public were outside.
In July, Cardinal Pell was swamped by crowds outside the same court for an earlier hearing.
He arrived in Australia earlier that month after being granted a leave of absence from the Vatican.
Earlier this year, he said: “I am innocent of these charges, they are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.”
As Vatican treasurer, Cardinal Pell is considered the third-ranking official in the Catholic Church.
