Belgian Prime Minister Clashes with Pope Francis Over Abortion Laws

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has summoned the Vatican’s ambassador after Pope Francis described the country’s abortion laws as “murderous” during a recent visit. The Pope’s comments have sparked outrage in Belgium, with the Prime Minister labeling them “unacceptable”.

In a speech to parliament, De Croo emphasized that the church should not dictate laws in the country, stating, “We do not need lessons on how our lawmakers democratically approve laws. The time when the church dictated the law in our country is fortunately long behind us.”

The controversy surrounds Pope Francis’ visit to Belgium, where he paid tribute to late King Baudouin, who refused to sign a law lifting penalties for abortion in 1990. The Pope described the legislation as “a murderous law” and compared doctors performing abortions to hired killers.

The Pope’s comments have caused an outcry in Belgium, particularly given the sensitive timing. Plans to extend the time limit for abortion to 18 weeks of pregnancy have been put on hold as parties negotiating to form a government after elections in June are divided on the issue.

The Pope’s stance on women’s rights has drawn criticism, with many accusing him of being out of touch with modern society. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between the Catholic Church and secular governments over issues such as abortion and women’s rights.

The Vatican has not commented on the matter, but the Pope’s ambassador to Belgium is expected to meet with Prime Minister De Croo to discuss the issue further. The controversy is likely to continue to dominate headlines in Belgium and beyond, sparking debate over the role of religion in politics and the rights of women.