George Pell dies: Watch Australian Cardinal's final TV interview with Colm ... trends now The last time George Pell spoke in public: Australian Cardinal was clearly frail - but cheerful - in final interview reflecting on Pope Benedict's death just days before his death By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia Published: 23:16 GMT, 10 January 2023 | Updated: 23:36 GMT, 10 January 2023 Viewcomments A cheerful and reflective Cardinal George Pell paid tribute to the late Pope Benedict XVI in his final television interview just eight days before his shock death. The most senior Australian to serve the Catholic Church died in Rome at the age of 81 on Wednesday after complications from hip replacement surgery, the Vatican has confirmed. Cardinal Pell looked frail but appeared upbeat last week when he sat down with Colm Flynn, Vatican Correspondent for EWT News, for a TV interview looking back on his memories of Pope Benedict XVI who died earlier this month. In the wake of his sudden death, Mr Flynn said Cardinal Pell had been in good form and that the pair had arranged to meet up again in the near future. Cardinal George Pell looked frail but cheerful in what would be his final interview I met with Cardinal Pell just a few days ago to ask him about his memories of the passing of Pope Benedict. He was in good form and we had arranged to meet on my return from Florida. https://t.co/QsURiVA7Lt — Colm Flynn (@colmflynnire) January 10, 2023 The six minute interview began with the Cardinal recalling his initial reaction to the news of the former Pope's death. 'I was very sad, as a matter of fact I was surprised how sad I was' Cardinal Pell said. 'I knew he was sick and I he was dying. I was pleased as I thought I heard he was rallying.' 'I'd known him well enough. admired what he was about. I thought he was very good for the church.' One of his fondest memories of Pope Benedict XVI was his visit to Australia in 2008 for World Youth Day, which was attended by half a million young people from 200 countries. Cardinal Pell describe the late Pope one-on-one as the complete opposite of the 'absurd' caricatures his enemies had of him. 'He was a quiet, gentle, and pious man, an absolute gentleman,' he recalled. He admitted the late Pope had some faults. 'He wasn't the greater administrator, greatest executive.' Cardinal Pell is reported to have successfully undergone his hip replacement operation and was happily chatting with the anaesthetist when he went into sudden cardiac arrest. Medics were unable to revive him. Pell, a conservative Catholic, was at the centre of Australia's most high profile claims of childhood sexual abuse. More to come Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility