Belgium Leaders Criticize Pope on Abuse Response

Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo delivered a powerful critique of Pope Francis during the pontiff's visit, demanding 'concrete steps' to address the Catholic Church's handling of clerical sexual abuse. This marked one of the most pointed rebukes ever directed at a pope during such a diplomatic visit, with De Croo emphasizing that words alone are insufficient and that victims must be prioritized. King Philippe echoed these sentiments, calling for the Church to work incessantly to atone for past wrongs and assist victims in their healing. The remarks reflect the ongoing outrage in Belgium over decades of abuse revelations and cover-ups, which have severely damaged the Church's credibility. Francis acknowledged the need for the Church to confront its past but did not provide specific details on actions to be taken. The visit comes amidst a backdrop of renewed scrutiny on the Church’s abuse scandals, with over 700 complaints reported in Belgium since 2012.