As Pope Francis' visit to Belgium continues, survivors are pushing for more than words from the Catholic Church's leader.

De Croo’s unusually blunt remarks were directed at the Pope as political and public tensions over sexual abuse overshadow the papal visit to Belgium. Several top Flemish politicians have boycotted a meeting Friday with the Pope, saying that the Church isn’t doing enough to deal with the problem.

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

King Philippe of Belgium and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo call for more concrete action to help survivors of abuse by Catholic clergy

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - 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.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley, the retiring archbishop of Boston who leads the Vatican's commission on clergy sexual abuse, asked forgiveness for abuse. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, a former

Pope Francis urged Catholic bishops to be more transparent and aggressive in combatting child sex abuse in the Church during his visit to Belgium on Sunday, declaring that “evil must not be hidden” and “must be brought out into the open.

Speaking to a crowd of around 39,000 in the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, the pontiff wrapped up a difficult visit to Belgium by saying, "There is no place for the covering up of abuse."