@Holy Cannoli: This argument would only work, if Pope Francis would stick to the rules. But he doesn't. When he sacks Cardinal Müller, he tells people that it is his policy to name people for one period but then there are ten modernists where he does not follow this "rule". If the Vatican had wanted to publish Cardinal Pell's retirement they could have done it on Februar 24... You want to stick to the rules, then stick to the rules.

CNA - Pell's term as prefect was to have expired Feb. 24. His resignation has not been noted in the bollettino, so it is believed his term lapsed and was not renewed, and he was not removed from office.

Gisotti's tweet suggests that Pell's loss of office by the expiration of his term has been communicated to him in writing, as required by canon law.