Francis yesterday met with 17 abuse victims who are seeking compensation from the Church for the trauma they suffered and to pay for the therapy many need.

Pope Francis met for more than two hours on Friday with 17 survivors who are seeking compensation from the church for the trauma they suffered, and to pay for the therapy many need

Pope Francis has promised to “offer all the help we can” to aid victims of clergy sexual abuse heal after victims told him first-hand of the trauma that had shattered their lives and left many in poverty and mental misery.

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo’s speech was one of the most pointed ever directed at the pope during a foreign trip.

Belgium’s prime minister has blasted Pope Francis for the Catholic Church’s horrific legacy of clerical sex abuse and cover-ups.

Pope Francis said Friday that the Catholic Church must "seek forgiveness" over the "scourge" of child sexual abuse, during a visit to Belgium where the Church's dark past looms large.

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, demanding “concrete steps” to come clean with the past and put victims’ interests first.

Pope denounced the "tragic instances of child abuse" as a stain on the Church's legacy

Pope Francis seeks forgiveness for child sexual abuse in Belgium, addressing Church's dark past and ongoing challenges.

Pope Francis has said that the Catholic Church must "seek forgiveness" over the "scourge" of child sexual abuse, in a speech before political and civil society leaders in Belgium - a country scarred by decades of scandals.

Pope Francis was set to meet Belgian victims of sexual abuse by clergymen on Friday as part of a three-day visit to the country – the first by a pontiff in almost 30 years. FRANCE 24 spoke to two of…