Pope Francis on Sunday wrapped up a weekend trip to Belgium, where he faced his harshest criticism yet during a trip abroad.
The 87-year-old pontiff was pressed by high-profile figures at three of the five major events of his three-day visit in language unusual and sometimes fiery for a papal visit.
At a meeting with Belgian dignitaries on Friday, King Philippe and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo both called for more concrete action to help survivors of abuse by Catholic priests. And at subsequent events at two Catholic universities, officials condemned her stance on the role of women in the church and society.
Francis did not specifically mention the criticisms at his last event in Belgium on Sunday, a celebration of Mass at Brussels’ King Baudouin football stadium. But the Pope added to the text prepared for his sermon and strongly condemned the abuses of Catholic priests.
“There is no room for abuse,” the Pope said, drawing applause from the estimated 37,000 attendees. “There is no room for abuse to hide.
“I urge everyone not to hide abuse. I urge bishops not to hide abuse.”
The Belgium tour, which began with a one-day visit to nearby Luxembourg, was Francis’ 46th trip abroad since his election as pope in March 2013. The purpose of the visit was to focus on the 600th anniversary of two Catholic universities.
Francis has faced similar criticism on previous tours, particularly over the issue of clergy sexual abuse. On his visit to Chile in 2018, groups of protesters protested outside his events and Catholic churches were attacked ahead of his visit.
But the Pope, leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, is not typically confronted directly in public by political leaders or Catholic officials who organize his events.
Professors and students at UCLAouaven, where Francis spoke on Saturday afternoon, issued a press release moments after the Pope finished his speech, saying they wanted to express their “disapproval” of his views.
The Pope’s speech at the university largely called for global action on climate change, but he also responded to a letter from students and professors asking about the Catholic Church’s teaching on women.
Francis emphasized that the church, which bans ordaining women to the priesthood, was not run like a corporation. He described the women as having “excellent welcome, care (and) significant dedication”.
The Vatican did not respond to the university’s statement.
Francis apologized Friday for sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Belgium, saying the church “should be ashamed and apologize.” He also held a two-hour meeting with a group of survivors, who pressured him to provide better financial compensation for the victims.