During his visit to Belgium, Pope Francis stressed that the bishops should not cover up abuse and should instead help the abusers

Pope Francis has wrapped up a weekend trip to Belgium by praising victims and demanding that sexually abusive clergy be judged, after facing strong criticism that the Catholic Church was failing to face up to the problem.

Belgium's King Philippe levelled direct criticism at the pontiff, saying it had "taken far too long for the cries to be heard and acknowledged".