Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell has made a brief court appearance in his native Australia to face what police described as "historical sexual offences".
He is the most senior Roman Catholic official to face such accusations.
The 76-year-old, who is a top adviser to Pope Francis, did not speak as he was escorted to and from Melbourne Magistrates' Court.
He was not required to enter a plea.
Australian police said last month Cardinal Pell had been summoned to appear on charges of "historical sexual offences" from multiple complainants.
"For the avoidance of doubt ... Cardinal Pell will plead not guilty to all charges, and will maintain the presumed innocence that he has," the cardinal's lawyer, Robert Richter, told the court.
Magistrate Duncan Reynolds said he was denying media requests to see the charge sheets against the cardinal.
Magistrate Reynolds set a committal hearing date of 6 October and told Cardinal Pell's lawyers they would receive a summary of the charges by 8 September.
A magistrate decides at a committal hearing whether prosecutors have enough evidence for a case to be committed to trial.
Cardinal Pell is not required to enter a formal plea until a magistrate determines whether there is cause for a full trial.
The cardinal has previously said he was looking forward to his day in court to fight charges he said are false.
He is on a leave of absence from his Vatican role as the pope's economy minister, which he started in 2014.
The pontiff has said he will not comment on the case until it is over.
