Pope Francis Addresses Clergy Abuse in Belgium

During his visit to Belgium, Pope Francis addressed the widespread clerical sexual abuse crisis within the Catholic Church, describing it as the Church's 'shame and humiliation'. Speaking at Laeken Castle, he emphasized the necessity for the Church to seek forgiveness and take concrete actions to prevent such abuses in the future. Belgian leaders, including Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, criticized the Church for its slow response to abuse cases and demanded accountability and reparations for victims. The Pope also mentioned the Church's dark history of forced adoptions, which saw around 30,000 children taken from their mothers without consent between 1950 and 1980. As part of his visit, he met with victims of abuse, who expressed the urgent need for justice and reparations. The backdrop of his trip reflects an ongoing reckoning with the Church's legacy of abuse and the calls for systemic change.