Politics Abuse: Belgium's head of government addresses harsh words to the Pope

Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has called on Pope Francis to take concrete steps to deal with sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Words are not enough, said the liberal politician when welcoming the pontiff at Laeken Castle in Brussels.

"You are committed to justice. But there is still a long way to go," said De Croo. His words were unusually sharp for a welcome.

The head of government said: "Human dignity must come first, not the interests of the institution." The victims must be heard and placed at the center of attention; they have a right to the truth. "The atrocities must be recognized. And justice must be done." In his speech, Belgium's King Philippe also called on the Church to continue its efforts resolutely and tirelessly.

Pope deviates from the text of the speech

Following the words of De Croo and King Philippe, the head of the Catholic Church surprisingly deviated from the speech manuscript and described abuse in the Church as a disgrace. "The Church must be ashamed and ask for forgiveness and try to do everything it can to ensure that this does not happen again."

Although there are also many cases of abuse in other environments, such as in the family, in sport and at school, the church must be aware of its own responsibility regardless of this. The church must also ask for forgiveness for a single victim. "This is our shame and humiliation," said Francis, visibly moved.

Pope Francis will remain in Belgium until Sunday, the official occasion being the 600th anniversary of the Catholic University in Leuven and its partner university, the Catholic University in Louvain-La-Neuve in the French-speaking part of the country, Wallonia, which is due to take place next year. He will also meet 15 victims of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. The trip will conclude on Sunday with a mass in a stadium in Brussels, which visitors from neighboring countries are also expected to attend.