Pope Francis has encountered criticism throughout his visit to Belgium, with the country’s king and prime minister urging him to take stronger steps to support survivors of abuse by Catholic clergy.
Additionally, a rector at another Catholic university called on him to reconsider the Church’s prohibition on ordaining women as priests.
The visit underscored the Church’s deep challenges in one of Europe’s most secular societies.
The pope’s day started with a formal meeting with Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, followed by a conversation with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
De Croo did not shy away from addressing the Catholic Church’s handling of clerical abuse.
He highlighted Belgium’s troubled history, particularly the case of former Bishop Roger Vangheluwe who admitted to abusing minors, including two of his nephews.
“We cannot ignore the painful wounds that exist in the Catholic community and in civil society” De Croo told the pope. “Numerous cases of sexual abuse and forced adoptions have undermined trust.”
He acknowledged Pope Francis’s efforts but emphasised that the Church’s path to justice remains a long one.
“Victims must be heard and injustices must be recognised” he added. De Croo then insisted that the Church must fully confront its past to move forward.
Abuse being addressed firmly
Pope Francis responded by reaffirming the Church’s commitment to addressing clerical sexual abuse.
The pontiff called the abuse “a scourge that the Church is addressing firmly and decisively by listening to and accompanying those who have been wounded, and by implementing a prevention programme throughout the world”.
Catholic University distances itself from the Pope’s comments on women
Professors and students at the Catholic university issued a statement shortly after the pontiff’s remarks on women.
“What characterises women, that which is truly feminine, is not stipulated by consensus or ideologies,” he said, adding that dignity is “ensured not by laws written on paper, but by an original law written on our hearts,” said Francis.
“A woman … is a daughter, a sister, a mother, just as a man is a son, a brother, a father,” the pope said, emphasising that the Church is not structured like a corporation.
Belgium’s UCLouvain University sharply criticised him following comments he made during a speech at the institution on the role of women in society.
In a strongly worded statement of disapproval, the University described Francis’ views as deterministic and reductive.
The university said the pope’s language did not align with its views on gender equality.
“UCLouvain expresses its incomprehension and disapproval of the position expressed by Pope Francis regarding the role of women in the Church and in society,” the university said.
“UCLouvain can only express its disagreement with this deterministic and reductive position.”
The university’s response marked a rare public rebuke of the pope by a Catholic institution.
Women priests
The incident follows Belgian officials also urging the Church to address and reconsider its ban on ordaining women as priests.
The Louvain university’s rector, Luc Sels, urged the pope to restore the Church’s moral authority and reconsider its ban on women priests.
“Would the Church not be a warmer community if there was a prominent place for women, including in the priesthood?” Sels asked.
The pope did not respond directly and has not advanced the issue.
Climate Change
The 87-year-old pope visited UCLouvain as part of the university’s 600th anniversary celebrations. Although his speech primarily addressed climate change, he also responded to a letter from students and professors asking about the Church’s position on women.
Sources