He will be questioned over three to four days about what he knew of historic paedophile activity by priests when he served in Ballarat and Melbourne.
There were reports of a scuffle as Cardinal Pell arrived at a hotel in Rome to give evidence.
SBS Europe Correspondent Brett Mason says he was obstructed from filming and he and a camera crew were pushed aside as Cardinal Pell entered the hotel.
Brett Mason is speaking to Santilla Chingaipe.
