Pope Francis has paid tribute to Cardinal George Pell after Australia's most senior Catholic died following complications with a hip replacements.
Francis delivered a statement to the College of Cardinals to express his condolences and his gratitude for Pell's work in his time at the Vatican.
"I raise prayers for the repose of this faithful servant, who unwaveringly followed his Lord with perseverance, even in the hour of trial, that he may be received into heaven," Francis said.
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It's expected Pell will lie in state in the Vatican tomorrow before his body is returned to Australia, where he will be laid to rest at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.
Pell's cause of death remains unknown, with reports he appeared in good health both before and immediately after the operation on his hip.
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He is believed to have gone into cardiac arrest quite suddenly after the surgery.
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Pell's death has provoked a divided reaction in Australia, with many including former Prime Minister Tony Abbott praising the cardinal's life.
However, a number of victims of abusive clergy, along with victims' advocates, have criticised Pell for his response to investigations of child sex abuse within the Catholic Church.
Pell was himself convicted of child sex offences, a conviction which was later quashed by the High Court.
The father of an alleged victim of abuse was taking civil action against Pell at the time of his death.
