Within hours of the High Court's ruling,Cardinal Pell was released from Barwon Prison and driven in a four-car convoy to the Carmelite Monastery in Kew.
The Cardinal's spokeswoman would not comment on how long he would stay at the monastery or whether he had long-term plans to return to the Vatican. The coronavirus lockdown means he will likely mark Easter at the monastery.
"I have consistently maintained my innocence while suffering from a serious injustice,"Cardinal Pell said in a statement.
"This has been remedied today,with the High Court's unanimous decision. I look forward to reading the judgment,and reasons for the decision in detail.
"I hold no ill will toward my accuser. I do not want my acquittal to add to the hurt and bitterness so many feel. There is certainly hurt and bitterness enough."
The former choirboy who alleged Cardinal Pell abused him and his friend declined to comment but his lawyer is to address the media on Wednesday.
The other former choirboy died in 2014 aged 31,having never spoken to police.
Advocates for complainants in unrelated sex-assault cases were shocked by Tuesday's decision and feared it would deter accusers from coming forward.
Chrissie Foster,whose daughters Emma and Katie were raped by their parish priest as schoolgirls,said the ruling conveyed a message of"Don't bother"to complainants.
The Centre Against Sexual Assault reported it had fielded calls from vulnerable people who were distressed and angry at having their own memories of trauma brought to the surface.
In a letter to clergy and parishioners,Melbourne Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli,said the judgment marked the end to"an intense and painful time for all those personally involved,those who have experienced abuse,and for the Catholic community in Melbourne".
Archbishop Comensoli acknowledged Cardinal Pell's accuser had the right to report his allegations,but noted the Cardinal had steadfastly maintained his innocence.
Cardinal Pell's acquittal doesn't mean his remaining years will be peaceful.
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His attempt to restore his reputation could be hampered by the release of findings made specifically about him by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter said on Tuesday that he would spend the next few weeks deciding whether to restore information that had been redacted in the final report given the huge public interest. Mr Porter said he would consult with interested parties and the Victorian government.
Tuesday's ruling could trigger an examination of how the case got so far in Victoria’s criminal justice system when the High Court judges agreed a guilty verdict couldn't be supported.
The High Court found evidence given by other witnesses who were at St Patrick's should have raised doubts about whether Cardinal Pell had an opportunity to commit the crimes he was accused of.
The High Court found this evidence should have caused a jury to have reasonable doubt,and should also have caused the Court of Appeal majority of Chief Justice Anne Ferguson and Court of Appeal President Chris Maxwell to have misgivings about the jury’s verdict.
The Office of Public Prosecutions declined to comment.
With David Crowe,AAP
If you or anyone you know needs support,you can contact the National Sexual Assault,Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on1800RESPECT (1800 737 732),Lifeline 131 114,orbeyondblue 1300 224 636.