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International Business Times
International Business Times
World
Bruce Golding

Belgian King, Prime Minister Confront Pope Over Child Sex Abuse, Forced Adoption Scandals

Pope Francis delivers a speech while flanked by Belgian Queen Mathilde and King Philippe in Laeken Castle in Brussels on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Credit: Sébastien Courdji/Getty Images)

Belgium's king and prime minister seized the opportunity presented by a papal visit to publicly voice outrage over sex abuse and forced adoption scandals involving their country's Catholic clergy.

In a highly unusual, face-to-face rebuke of Pope Francis, King Philippe demanded that the Vatican work "incessantly" to atone for the crimes and to help victims heal, the Associated Press reported Friday.

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