Pope Francis Confronts Abuse Scandal and Urges Reform in Belgium

Pope Francis demanded action against priestly sexual abuse and called for transparency from bishops during his visit to Belgium. The pontiff praised abuse survivors and addressed issues around women's roles and abortion while attending Mass and meetings at Leuven/Louvain Catholic University. His visit concluded amidst controversy and calls for church reforms.

Pope Francis demanded on Sunday that priestly sexual abusers be judged and their bishops stop covering up their crimes as he ended a troubled visit to Belgium, praising the courage of survivors of a scandal that has devastated the church's credibility.

“Evil must be brought out into the open,” Francis told some 30,000 people at Belgium's main sports stadium, drawing applause repeatedly. “There is no place for abuse. There is no place for covering up abuse.” Francis echoed concerns raised by abuse survivors whom he met on Friday night, responding to their accounts of trauma and inadequate church responses.

His visit, centered around celebrating the 600th anniversary of Leuven/Louvain Catholic University, saw significant controversy as Francis doubled down on his traditional views on women and abortion, triggering a strong rebuke from the university community. Despite reforms he has introduced during his pontificate, Francis ruled out ordaining women as priests or allowing them to serve as deacons, advising theologians and canonists to continue the debate into next year.