Top Vatican official Cardinal George Pell heads to court on historic day

Cardinal George Pell. Photo / AP

By Megan Neil in Melbourne

Top Vatican official Cardinal George Pell's first court appearance will be over within minutes but will create history.

Australia's most senior Catholic plans to appear in person at the Melbourne Magistrates Court today for the first stage of what will be a lengthy legal process.

The 76-year-old has returned from Rome vowing to clear his name over multiple historical sexual offence charges involving multiple complainants.

Pell is the highest-ranking Catholic official to be charged with sexual abuse. Pope Francis has granted Pell, who as Vatican treasurer is considered the third most powerful person in the Catholic Church, a leave of absence to return to Australia to defend himself.

Today's filing hearing is expected to attract worldwide media attention.

It is an administrative hearing to set the next dates in the court process and may last less than five minutes.

As Pell was charged on summons, he could have asked to be excused from appearing in person and have his lawyer represent him. But he has decided to make the trip to Melbourne from Sydney, where he will be based during the legal process.

No special arrangements have been made for Pell's appearance despite the case's high profile.

The court will operate on a "business as usual" basis, with Pell expected to line up and clear security screening as he enters court.

Such is the level of international interest in the case that many journalists, abuse survivors and members of the public are likely to miss out on being in the small courtroom allocated for filing hearings.

Victims' advocate Leonie Sheedy is worried the intense media coverage may trigger traumatic memories for abuse survivors.

"We urge all care leavers to take care of themselves this week and turn off news reports or media coverage of the case if they find it too upsetting," Ms Sheedy said.

The former Sydney and Melbourne archbishop and Ballarat priest's matter is expected to come before a magistrate at 10am (midday NZT).