Australian Cardinal Pell says had Pope's support, may visit Rome

FILE PHOTO: Vatican Treasurer Cardinal George Pell is surrounded by Australian police as he leaves the Melbourne Magistrates Court in Australia, October 6, 2017. REUTERS/Mark Dadswell

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australian Catholic Cardinal George Pell said Pope Francis supported him during his trial and imprisonment on sex charges before his acquittal last week, and, in his first television interview since being freed, said he would like to visit Rome.

Pell, 78, also told News Corp-owned cable network Sky News that complainants should be repected but that their claims should not be accepted without question.