Australian Cardinal George Pell's funeral sparks protests as mourners gather

The coffin of Cardinal George Pell lays in state at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, Australia, February 1, 2023. Rick Rycroft/Pool via REUTERS

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Mourners and protesters faced off in Sydney on Thursday at the funeral service for Australian Cardinal George Pell, a former top Vatican official who was acquitted in 2020 of sexual abuse accusations.

Australian police officials said they had dropped a court bid to block a protest after organisers agreed to change an initial demonstration route and gather in a road adjacent to St Mary's Cathedral, the funeral venue. Hundreds took part in the protest.