Pope Francis, pressed by Belgium on sexual abuse, says Church acting 'decisively'

Pope Francis addresses Belgium's authorities and civil society, next to Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, in Brussels, Belgium September 27, 2024. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Pope Francis was pressed firmly by Belgium's king and premier on Friday for more concrete action to address sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, an issue once more in the spotlight as he visits.

Both King Philippe and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo raised the issue in public in unusually forceful language for a papal foreign trip, always a carefully choreographed event.