News

The story behind Cardinal George Pell

Published

3 years ago

January 11, 2023

Ahron Young

George Pell was an Australian Catholic cardinal who served as the Archbishop of Sydney from 2001 to 2014, and as the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy from 2014 to 2019.

He was convicted in 2018 of sexually abusing two choirboys in 1996 and 1997, and was subsequently sentenced to six years in prison. In April 2020, the High Court of Australia overturned his conviction and acquitted him of the charges. Prior to his conviction, Pell had been the most senior Catholic official to be convicted of child sexual abuse.

What was George Pell’s role at the Vatican?

George Pell served as the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy at the Vatican from 2014 to 2019. The Secretariat for the Economy is one of the Vatican’s main departments and is responsible for overseeing the administration and management of the Holy See’s financial and economic affairs. As Prefect, Pell was effectively the Vatican’s chief financial officer and had significant authority over the management of the Vatican’s budget and financial operations. He was also a member of the Council of Cardinal Advisers, an advisory body to the Pope that was established to help reform the Vatican’s financial and administrative structures.

What happened to cardinal George Pell’s court case?

In December 2018, Cardinal George Pell was convicted of sexually abusing two choirboys in 1996 and 1997, while he was the Archbishop of Melbourne. He was sentenced to six years in prison and was considered a high-profile prisoner. He immediately appealed the conviction, and the case was heard by the Court of Appeals of Victoria, the highest court of the Australian state of Victoria. In August 2019, the court upheld his conviction and his sentence, which means he was to serve at least three years and eight months in prison. However, on April 7, 2020, The High Court of Australia overturned his conviction, and acquit him of the charges. It was determined that the trial jury’s verdicts were unreasonable, thus ending his legal proceedings.

George Pell was born in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Ballarat is a city located about 110 kilometers (68 miles) northwest of the state capital, Melbourne. It is the third largest city in Victoria and has a rich history of gold mining and is known for its cultural heritage and colonial architecture.

How long did George Pell serve at the Vatican?

George Pell served as the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy at the Vatican from 2014 to 2019. He was appointed to that position by Pope Francis in February 2014, and he held the position for about five years. During his tenure as Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, he was involved in major reforms in the Vatican’s financial management and administration, and also played a significant role in shaping Pope Francis’ vision for the Church. He was also member of the Council of Cardinal Advisers, until his returning to Australia to face the sexual abuse charges.

News

Iran live updates: Trump claims Khamenei dead as Iran insists he remains in command

Published

13 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Ahron Young

What’s happening in the Middle East?

President Donald Trump says Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed
Iran is entering a transitional period, with a three man leadership council temporarily taking control
The U.S. military confirms three American service members were killed in the joint Israeli U.S. operation
The White House says U.S. forces have destroyed and sunk nine Iranian naval ships
Israel and the United States continue strikes on Iranian targets, with Tehran launching missile and drone retaliation across Israel and Gulf states
Shipping, aviation and oil markets have been disrupted, with civilians fleeing major cities amid escalating tensions

News

Israel strikes Tehran anew as conflict escalates and global markets react

Israel strikes Tehran after Khamenei’s death; U.S. warns of prolonged conflict as tensions escalate in the Middle East.

Published

13 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Israel strikes Tehran after Khamenei’s death; U.S. warns of prolonged conflict as tensions escalate in the Middle East.

Israel has launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran, following the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. U.S. President Donald Trump has warned the campaign could last up to a month, framing the operation as a move to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.

Iran has retaliated with missile attacks, while its Revolutionary Guards claim responsibility for assaults on oil tankers in the Gulf. The escalating hostilities are already disrupting global shipping lanes and air travel, sending shockwaves through international markets.

With reports of the first U.S. casualties emerging and Washington declaring the Tehran operation a success, tensions across the Middle East are intensifying rapidly. The question now is how far this conflict could spread — and at what cost.

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News

U.S. and Israel strike Iran as missiles hit Gulf bases and oil surges

U.S. and Israel launch major military operation against Iran; tensions rise as conflict escalates, impacting global markets.

Published

2 days ago

March 1, 2026

Ahron Young

U.S. and Israel launch major military operation against Iran; tensions rise as conflict escalates, impacting global markets.

The United States and Israel have launched a sweeping military operation against Iran, striking leadership targets and more than 500 military sites in what President Trump has dubbed Operation Epic Fury.

Explosions have rocked Tehran, with civilians fleeing the capital as U.S. sea and air assets carry out sustained attacks. Washington says the mission is designed to prevent a nuclear armed Iran and has even called on Iranians to rise up against the regime.

Iran has retaliated with a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Israel and U.S. bases across the region, including in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. While many projectiles were intercepted, a U.S. base in Bahrain sustained damage.

Gulf states long seen as stable hubs for global business are now directly in the firing line, raising fears of a wider regional war.

Oil prices are climbing and tankers are diverting from the Strait of Hormuz as markets react to the escalating conflict. U.S. aircraft carriers, advanced fighter jets and missile destroyers remain in position, signalling more strikes could follow.

With global leaders scrambling diplomatically, the world is watching to see whether this spirals further or shifts back to negotiations.