(Alert was corrected to say police statement said 'historical' sex offences, not 'child sexual assault offences')
SYDNEY, June 29 (Reuters) - Australian police said on Thursday they have charged the Vatican's treasurer, Australian Cardinal George Pell, with multiple sexual assault offences.
"Cardinal Pell is facing multiple charges in respect of historic sexual offences," Victoria state police deputy commissioner Shane Patton told a news conference in Melbourne.
"There are multiple complainants relating to those charges," he said. Pell was charged by summons to appear before a Melbourne court on July 18, Patton said.