Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo criticized Pope Francis for the Catholic Church’s history of clerical sex abuse and cover-ups, demanding “concrete steps” to prioritize victims over the institution. His speech, along with strong words from King Philippe, highlighted the ongoing impact of the abuse scandal in Belgium, which has eroded the church’s credibility. Francis, who applauded De Croo’s speech, acknowledged the shame and was expected to meet with victims privately. De Croo emphasized the need for truth, recognition of misdeeds, and transparency to move forward.