Cardinal Pell Describes "Emotional Meeting" With Abuse Survivors In Rome

Cardinal George Pell has finished a week of testifying before a royal commission on sex abuse by meeting with some Australian survivors in Rome.

Trigger warning. This article discusses sexual abuse.

Following his fourth and final day before the royal commission, Cardinal Pell yesterday addressed media and described his “emotional meeting” with survivors of clergy sex abuse, ABC News reports.

"I heard each of their stories and of their suffering," he read from a statement.

"It was hard. An honest and occasionally emotional meeting.

"I know many of their families and I know of the goodness of so many people in Catholic Ballarat; a goodness that is not extinguished by the evil that was done," he added.

Earlier that day, he had argued during testimony it was a “disastrous coincidence” that five paedophile priests had abused children in Ballarat during the 1970s. (During this time, Cardinal Pell was serving as a priest in the same city of Victoria.)

Cardinal Pell did not travel to Australia to front the royal commission and instead conferenced in via videolink from Rome.

During his testimony, he admitted that he “should have done more” in investigating rumours about abusive priests at the time.

Some of the Ballarat survivors travelled to the Italian capital to meet with the Cardinal.

One of those survivors, David Risdale, described their meeting as “extremely emotional.”

"We met on a level playing field. We met as people from Ballarat," he said.

The survivors are now seeking a meeting with Pope Francis, citing frustration with Cardinal Pell’s testimony.

Cardinal Pell is the current Vatican treasurer and considered the third most powerful Catholic in the world.

Are you experiencing sexual assault or domestic and family violence? Seeking to support someone who is? Call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

Photo: ABC News.