Pope Francis visited Belgium on September 28, 2024, where he pledged his support for victims of clergy sexual abuse. During his visit, he met with 17 survivors for over two hours, acknowledging their trauma and the church's troubling legacy of abuse. Survivors, including Koen Van Sumere, expressed the urgent need for reparations and ongoing therapy support. The pope recognized the 'atrocious suffering and wounds' caused by abuse and emphasized the church's need for mercy and accountability [ac47bf03].
In addition to his meetings with survivors, Pope Francis also had breakfast with ten homeless individuals, underscoring the church's commitment to caring for the vulnerable in society. His visit drew attention to the broader issues of social justice and the church's role in addressing them [ac47bf03].
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and King Philippe criticized the church's historical cover-up of abuse, highlighting the need for transparency and reform within the institution. Their statements reflect a growing demand for accountability from religious leaders in the wake of numerous abuse scandals that have plagued the Catholic Church globally [ac47bf03].
This visit comes in the context of Pope Francis' upcoming trips to Indonesia and East Timor, where he aims to promote interfaith dialogue and address critical issues such as migration and religious tolerance. His commitment to addressing the needs of abuse victims aligns with his broader mission of healing and reconciliation within the church [d9854e63][7da6bcfe].