Belgian PM lays into the Pope over response to sex abuse scandal

Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on Friday told the Pope that the Catholic Church needs to do more to make amends for decades of clerical sexual abuse against children.

“Today, therefore, words alone are not enough, concrete steps must also be taken,” De Croo said during his meeting with Pope Francis and Belgium’s King Philippe at the Castle of Laeken on Friday.

De Croo’s unusually blunt remarks were directed at the Pope as political and public tensions over sexual abuse overshadow the papal visit to Belgium. Several top Flemish politicians have boycotted a meeting Friday with the Pope, saying that the Church isn’t doing enough to deal with the problem.

“The victims must be heard. They should be central. They have a right to the truth. The wrongdoings must be acknowledged. And justice must be served,” said the Belgian prime minister. He added it was a “necessary step to regain trust.”

This story is being updated.