Cardinal George Pell has died suddenly, days after commenting publicly at the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Less than four months ago, I sat directly alongside Cardinal Pell at his dining table in Rome. We laughed, philosophised, and prayed – and enjoyed a particularly large gin and tonic together.

The purpose of our luncheon meeting was to discuss sport and the ongoing creation of the St John Paul II Foundation for Sport in Australia, which hopes to encourage and facilitate the return of godly values and virtues across the sporting world.