Controversial Catholic cleric George Pell dies aged 81

Pell was the most senior Catholic cleric to be convicted of child sex abuse before his convictions were later overturned

(Picture: AP)

Cardinal George Pell, who spent 404 days in solitary confinement before his child sex abuse convictions were quashed, has died at age 81.

Pell died on Tuesday in Rome, where he had attended the funeral last week of Pope Benedict XVI.