This article contains references to child abuse.
Disgraced Cardinal George Pell was convicted on the word of a single choirboy who was sexually abused as a teenager by Australia's highest-ranking Catholic.
The boy, now a man in his 30s, has endured two trials and an appeal, but now waits on the country's seven most senior judges to determine if there'll be one more.
A full bench of seven High Court justices is yet to decide whether they'll grant Pell an appeal, but on Thursday they'll hear from prosecutors why it should be refused.
Victoria's Chief Crown Prosecutor Kerri Judd QC has accused Pell's lawyers of giving an "incomplete and inaccurate picture of the facts" and of glossing over evidence that supported the surviving choirboy.
In day one of a two-day hearing in Canberra on Wednesday, Pell's specialist appeals barrister Bret Walker SC said the appeal was worthy of consideration.
"We're not here to prove anything ... except to show, to demonstrate, that there was unexplored possibilities that meant it was not open to the jury to convict," he told the judges.
He said the only evidence that Pell's offending had occurred came from the complainant and that evidence could not stand if it was accepted that other witnesses had been truthful.
George Pell was convicted in 2018 of raping a 13-year-old choirboy and sexualy assaulting another. Source: AAP
"At no stage was there an invitation to regard them as insincere or lying or favouring loyalty over truth," he said of sacristan Max Potter and Monsignor Charles Portelli.
Their evidence included that Pell would greet parishioners on the steps of the cathedral after mass, that he was not alone and that he had always been accompanied while robed.
Supporters of George Pell pray outside the High Court of Australia. Source: AAP
Pell, now 78, was convicted in 2018 of the rape of one 13-year-old choirboy and sexual assault of another.
The first boy gave evidence against Pell and the second died in 2014.
He maintained his innocence through two trials - the first ending in a hung jury - and last year's Victorian Court of Appeal hearing, which upheld the verdict in a 2-1 ruling.
Pell is one year into a six-year jail sentence.
Child sex abuse victim Michael Advocate poses for photographs outside the High Court of Australia. Source: AAP
His appeal is based on two grounds - firstly that Chief Justice Ann Ferguson and President Chris Maxwell made an error in requiring Pell to prove the offending was "impossible" in order to raise reasonable doubt.
Secondly, his lawyers have argued the judges erred in concluding the guilty verdicts were not unreasonable, because of findings there was reasonable doubt as to his guilt.
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25). More information is available at Beyond Blue.org.au and lifeline.org.au.
Anyone seeking information or support relating to sexual abuse can contact Bravehearts on 1800 272 831 or Blue Knot on 1300 657 380.
