Pope Francis implored bishops not to cover up the sexual abuse of children, during an open-air mass on Sunday that capped a three-day visit to Belgium, which is still struggling with the legacy of past scandals.
Gathered in bright morning sunshine, about 40,000 faithful, some waving Belgian and Vatican flags, packed the King Baudouin stadium north of the capital to hear the 87-year-old pontiff.
“There is no place for abuse, there is no place for covering up abuse,” Francis said during a homily.
“I ask everyone not to cover up abuse, I ask the bishops not to cover up abuse, to condemn the abusers and help them heal themselves of this disease of abuse.”
During his stay, the pontiff was pressed by Belgian authorities and victims’ advocates on the Catholic Church’s handling of child sexual abuse, which was put back on the front pages by a hard-hitting documentary last year.
The Belgian documentary prompted around 200 more people to come forward with allegations that they were abused by members of the Church, adding to around 1,000 cases reported before then.
On Friday, Francis met with 17 victims. “I felt their suffering,” he told the Sunday mass.
“Evil must not be hidden, evil must be brought out into the open, let it be known,” he added, calling for all perpetrators to be judged.