ROME
9 News
The Catholic Church has denied Cardinal Pell’s security clashed with Australian news crews outside the hotel where he is giving evidence in the sex abuse inquiry, saying the men were Italian police officers.
Video from the encounter shows the police, originally thought to be the Cardinal’s bodyguards, obstructing and jostling a news cameraman and crew outside the Hotel Quirinale in Rome.
The Archdiocese of Sydney rejected claims the cardinal’s security were involved in the altercation.
“Cardinal Pell is sorry to hear of an incident involving two members of the media and Italian police just prior to giving evidence to the Royal Commission via video link in Rome,” a spokeswoman said.
“The Italian Police are in charge of security outside and inside the hotel where the hearing is taking place and have been liaising with Commission staff.
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