Cardinal Pell broke his silence in an interview with Sky News’ Andrew Bolt on Tuesday evening, one week after Australia’s High Court quashed five convictions of child sexual abuse over allegations he assaulted to choirboys at a Melbourne cathedral in the 1990s.

He had spent 405 days behind bars before being freed following the unanimous judgment from the full bench of the High Court.

During the interview with Bolt — one of his most vocal supporters — Cardinal Pell said he “became so incensed at the way prosecutors dealt with (two witnesses)” at his trial that he thought it best he maintain his silence in court.

“I thought that if I were to get in there I’ll have such a go at that fella because of this outrage,” he told Bolt.

“I don’t know (what motivated him),” Cardinal Pell said. “I wonder whether he was used. I don’t know what the poor fellow was up to.”

He also described in detail his time in Barwon Prison, remarking that he was treated well by prisoners, a number of whom believed he was innocent.

“A number of prisoners said it was the only time they’d ever heard any prisoners taking the side of a priest convicted of paedophilia,” he said.

“At one stage, one (prisoner) said: ‘He’s got two prime ministers in support’.”

He said there was “a real threat” to his safety but that he was situated at the quiet end of the prison — which he described as “the Toorak end”, making a comparison to the swanky Melbourne suburb.

“My experience was quite untypical,” Cardinal Pell said.

“I spoke with four people (in prison). Three who were with me at Barwon were very kind to me.

“I got something like 4000 letters. I got immense support, practical and otherwise. I never felt forsaken. I had a daily routine. I followed the advice I’ve given to priests.

“Keep up your prayers. Get out of bed at a good time. Eat properly. Exercise every day. Try to sleep at night. I also read and wrote. Loads of books … so I’d quite settled into the routine.”

He described his time in prison as a “worldly retreat”.

“I had a kettle and television set. Got a toilet, a shower, a bed with a firm base. I was up at the Toorak end. The poor fellas at the other end, often damaged by ice. (They were) roaring with anguish.”

The interview touched on crimes carried out within the Catholic Church. Cardinal Pell said: “People didn’t realise to the extent we do now what damage was done.”

Bolt asked Cardinal Pell if he could’ve “picked up a whisper” about child sexual abuse. Cardinal Pell said he was “trained” to see the good in people but “we live in a different world now”.

He was also asked to discuss Gerald Ridsdale, the Catholic priest convicted of child sexual abuse and indecent assault against 65 children when he worked as a school chaplain in Ballarat.

“He’s done an immense amount of harm,” Cardinal Pell began before appearing to ask for forgiveness on Ridsdale’s behalf.

“I believe he now acknowledges that and regrets it,” Cardinal Pell said.

“Christians are told to forgive. I know how very, very difficult that would be. I don’t run around saying to people they should forgive. There’s this heroic Christian call to forgiveness in the most appalling circumstances.”

Asked whether he was “making excuses” for Ridsdale, Cardinal Pell said: “I totally condemn those sorts of activities and the damage it’s done to people.

“I’ve read horrific accounts of these … one of the things that grieves me is the suggestion that I’m anti-sympathetic.”

The interview, conducted at the Sydney seminary where Pell is currently staying, aired on the same day the Herald Sun broke a story alleging police are investigating fresh allegations against Cardinal Pell.

Police also paid a visit to the seminary on Tuesday afternoon for what was described as a “prearranged meeting”.

“Officers from Auburn Police Area Command attended a premises on a prearranged meeting to discuss security protocols,” NSW Police said in a statement.

It is believed the meeting was related to alleged social media threats against the Cardinal.