The sudden death of Cardinal George Pell is a “difficult day” for many Australians, especially those of the Catholic faith, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.

The former Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne and Sydney and papal adviser died aged 81 from heart complications on Tuesday following hip surgery.

His 2018 conviction for molesting two teenage choirboys in 1996 was quashed in a unanimous decision by the High Court in 2020.

Mr Albanese said he had expressed the nation’s condolences to Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher on Wednesday morning.

“For many people, particularly of the Catholic faith, this will be a difficult day and I express my condolences to all those who are mourning today,” Mr Albanese told reporters in Rockhampton.

“This will come as a shock to many – this was a hip operation and the consequences of it unfortunately have been that Cardinal Pell has lost his life.”

He said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade would assist in bringing Cardinal Pell’s body back to Australia for a burial service St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, after the funeral in the Vatican.

Mr Albanese, who is Catholic, declined to say whether he would attend the Sydney event, saying only that “further announcements will be made when they are finalised”.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott said Australia had lost a great son and the church had lost a great leader.

“The Cardinal was a committed defender of Catholic orthodoxy and a staunch advocate for the virtues of western civilisation,” Mr Abbott said in a statement.

“As an ecclesiastical and cultural conservative, he attracted praise and blame from all the expected quarters.

“In fact, he was a very pastoral priest who well understood the human stain and was more than capable of empathising with sinners while still counselling against sin.”

Mr Abbott said Cardinal Pell’s jailing after his conviction, which was dismissed by the High Court, was a “modern form of crucifixion, reputationally at least a kind of living death”.

“He strikes me as a saint for our times. Like everyone who knew him, I feel a deep sense of loss but am confident that his reputation will grow and grow and that he will become an inspiration for the ages.”

Former treasurer Joe Hockey said he was “immensely saddened” to hear of the unexpected death.

“He was a man of deep faith and great integrity. He was blessed with fortitude, courage, determination and intellect. He was proudly Australian,” Mr Hockey said.

Former senator Derryn Hinch and child protection advocate was more scathing of the Catholic leader.

“I wish he had lived for another 10 years of deserved public opprobrium,” Mr Hinch tweeted.

Former Liberal cabinet minister Kevin Andrews said the world had lost a “good and great man”.

“Despite his unjust travails, he remained optimistic and hope-filled.”

– AAP