Pope Francis Addresses Clergy Abuse in Belgium

During his visit to Belgium, Pope Francis met with survivors of clergy sexual abuse, promising to 'offer all the help we can' as they seek compensation for their trauma. The two-hour meeting with 17 victims was described as emotional and intense, with survivors expressing the urgent need for financial support to cover therapy and other needs. Both King Philippe and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo criticized the Catholic Church's handling of the abuse scandal, emphasizing the necessity for concrete reparative actions rather than mere words. The victims have given the pope a month to consider their requests, which the Vatican acknowledged it is reviewing. Survivors hope that this meeting will lead to more substantial steps in addressing the church's legacy of abuse. Overall, the Pope's visit has been overshadowed by the church's ongoing scandal, highlighting the need for accountability and healing.