Pope confirms Pell to refrain from ministry, no contact with children

Pope Francis has confirmed restrictions on Cardinal George Pell, who was found guilty of sexual offences with minors in Australia, obliging him to refrain from public ministry and have no contact with children.

In the Vatican's first response to the conviction, Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti told reporters it was "painful" for many but that the cardinal had proclaimed his innocence and has the right to "defend himself until last level" of judicial process.