Pope Francis was pressed firmly by Belgium's king and premier on Friday for more concrete action to address sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, an issue once more in the spotlight as he visits.

Pope Francis was challenged by Belgian students Saturday about women’s place in the Catholic Church, after paying tribute to a former sovereign who took a public stance against abortion. The scripted yet frank exchange at a university in French-speaking Wallonia came after the 87-year-old pontiff was pressed on the issue of child sexual abuse,

King Philippe ascended the Belgian throne in 2013 and holds the title “Rex Catholicissimus,” or “(Most) Catholic Majesty.”