George Pell might be too unwell for royal commission appearance

The Vatican are yet to confirm whether Australia's most senior Catholic priest, Cardinal George Pell, will be well enough to return ahead of his scheduled appearance at the royal commission into institutional responses into child sexual abuse when it resumes next month.

Last month, Cardinal Pell angered child sexual abuse victims when he cancelled his flights just days before he was originally due to appear in Ballarat - citing ill health as the reason for his non-appearance.

The Ballarat sitting was deferred until February, so that Pell could attend when his health had improved.

The royal commission will hold a directions hearing in Sydney on February 5 to determine whether Pell will be well enough to travel to Australia for the resumption of hearings later in the month.

This has not been the only commitment Cardinal Pell has skipped due to poor health.

On Thursday, he addressed a philanthropic Catholic organisation's Miami symposium via video link, with his office saying he was not well enough to make the trip to the United States.

When he failed to appear before the last sitting in Ballarat, his office said he had a long-standing heart condition that had recently worsened and doctors had advised him against taking any long-haul flights by doctors.

Cardinal Pell is the chief financial adviser to the Vatican. He continues to serve in this role in Rome, despite his health problems.

Source: The Guardian