Cardinal George Pell pleads not guilty to sex abuse claims

Australia's highest-ranking Catholic and member of the Vatican, George Pell, has pleaded not guilty to a raft of historical sexual abuse allegations. The Melbourne magistrates' court threw out many of the charges, but many still remain, and ruled on Tuesday, Cardinal Pell would have to stand trial for them. This makes him the most-senior Vatican official to stand trial for such allegations. The Vatican press office released a statement in regard to the Cardinal's trial: "The Holy See has taken note of the decision issued by judicial authorities in Australia regarding His Eminence Cardinal George Pell. Last year, the Holy Father granted Cardinal Pell a leave of absence so he could defend himself from the accusations. The leave of absence is still in place." Joing us to discuss the implications is John Allen, a world expert on the Catholic Church.