Pope Francis Addresses Clerical Abuse in Belgium

During his visit to Belgium, Pope Francis expressed deep remorse for the Catholic Church's history of sexual abuse, calling it a 'scourge' and emphasizing the need for forgiveness and action to prevent future occurrences. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo confronted the pontiff, demanding concrete steps to address the Church's legacy of abuse and prioritize victims' voices, highlighting the ongoing impact of the scandal on public trust in the Church. The Pope's visit also faced criticism from progressive Catholic students at the University of Leuven, who challenged his traditional views on women's roles in the Church, arguing for a paradigm shift to address issues of gender inequality. Pope Francis reiterated the Church's traditional stance on gender roles, rejecting the accusations of maintaining an unfair division of labor. This visit occurs amidst a broader global scrutiny of clerical abuse, with numerous countries, including Belgium, grappling with the fallout from decades of revelations. The Pope's remarks and the responses from Belgian leaders underscore the urgency of accountability and healing within the Church.