Disgraced Cardinal George Pell remains behind bars after failing in his appeal against his sexual abuse conviction.
Victoria's Court of Appeal on Wednesday upheld his December conviction for the rape of a 13-year-old choirboy and sexual assault of another at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne in 1996.
Pell, 78, has one last chance at an appeal to the High Court after Chief Justice Anne Ferguson and President Chris Maxwell ruled 2-1 to overrule Justice Mark Weinberg's judgment for his acquittal.
He sat emotionless as the decision was handed down in front of a packed courtroom, but his defence team later said in a statement he was "obviously disappointed".
"However his legal team will thoroughly examine the judgment in order to determine a special leave application to the High Court," a statement said.
A court sketch of Cardinal George Pell at the Supreme Court as he listens to the judgement. Source: AAP
Pell's lawyers have 28 days to file the application if they determine there are grounds to push ahead.
That application needs to be granted before the High Court can hear any appeal.
A single judge would hear the application, considering factors including whether the case is a matter of public importance, whether the decision relates to a matter of law, or if it's in the interests of the administration of justice.
The Vatican press office released a statement acknowledging the Court of Appeal's decision and said it would wait until any further appeals are exhausted before taking action.
"As the proceedings continue to develop, the Holy See recalls that the Cardinal has always maintained his innocence throughout the judicial process and that it is his right to appeal to the High Court," press officer Matteo Bruni said.
The Vatican has previously flagged its own internal investigation into the evidence against Pell.
One of Pell's victims died in 2014, while the other gave evidence at his trial.
In their 325-page decision on Wednesday, Justices Ferguson and Maxwell found that man, now in his 30s, came across as truthful.
"He did not seek to embellish his evidence or tailor it in a manner favourable to the prosecution," Justice Ferguson said.
But in his dissenting judgment, Justice Weinberg highlighted inconsistencies in his evidence.
"Having had regard to the whole of the evidence led at trial, and having deliberated long and hard over this matter, I find myself in the position of having a genuine doubt as to the applicant's guilt," he said.
The man said after the decision that he felt a responsibility to come forward after the death of the other victim, his childhood friend.
"The experiences I have been through have helped me understand what is truly important," he said.
They also ruled that Pell was not required to be physically present in front of the jury pool when officially asked how he pleaded.
Presence via video link, as occurred, was sufficient.
Pell did not appeal his six-year sentence, so it stands, along with a minimum three years and eight months before he's eligible for parole.
The earliest Pell can be released is October 2022, when he will be 81.
