Belgium's King Philippe levelled direct criticism at the pontiff, saying it had "taken far too long for the cries to be heard and acknowledged".

Belgium's prime minister on Friday blasted Pope Francis for the Catholic Church's horrific legacy of clerical sex abuse and cover-ups in his country.

Pope Francis was pressed firmly by Belgium's king and premier on Friday for more concrete action to address sexual abuse by Roman 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,

During his visit to Belgium, Pope Francis was urged by King Philippe and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to take more concrete actions against sexual abuse by Catholic clergy. They emphasized the Church's slow progress and need for tangible steps.

On Saturday, Pope Francis acknowledged that the abuse scandal had created "atrocious suffering and wounds," and undermined the faith.

Belgium’s prime minister blasted Pope Francis for the Catholic Church’s horrific legacy of clerical sex abuse and cover-ups here, demanding “concrete steps” to come clean with the past and put victims’ interests ahead those of the institution in a blistering welcome at the start of Francis’ visit on Friday.

Pope Francis faced calls from Belgium's King Philippe and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo for concrete steps to address sexual abuse by Catholic clergy during his visit to Belgium. Both leaders emphasized that the Church's past actions were insufficient.

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,