Vatican City, Sep 24, 2025 / 15:27 pm (CNA).
Pope Leo XIV addressed a message to the approximately 300 exorcist priests who came together Sept. 15–20 for the 15th International Gathering of the International Association of Exorcists (IAE) at the Fraterna Domus House of Spirituality in Sacrofano, near Rome.
The Holy Father expressed his appreciation for the priests who dedicate themselves to the “delicate and necessary ministry of the exorcist.” The pontiff urged them to carry it out “both as a ministry of liberation and as a ministry of consolation.”
In a message signed by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pope also exhorted pastors to provide spiritual support to the faithful who are suffering.
Victory over Satan
Pope Leo emphasized the need to “support the faithful truly possessed by the evil one with prayer and the invocation of Christ’s effective presence, so that through the sacramental of exorcism the Lord may grant victory over Satan.”
The pope’s words were read at the opening of the event — held every two years — by Father Francesco Bamonte, vice president of the IAE and moderator of the conference.
During the presentations, Monsignor Karel Orlita, president of the IAE and exorcist for the Diocese of Brno in the Czech Republic, highlighted the beauty of the ecclesial communion in which this ministry, firmly rooted in the Gospel, is embedded, and underlined the importance of the ongoing formation that the association promotes in Italy and abroad.
He also recalled the official approval of the new IAE statutes by the Dicastery for the Clergy on March 25 as a sign of support for the mission of the association, which recently surpassed 1,000 members.
During the conference, topics of great theological and practical relevance were addressed, the organizers stated in a press release.
During his address, the undersecretary of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Bishop Aurelio García Macías, presented a review of the Rite of Exorcisms, including types of extraordinary diabolical action, the role of the exorcist, the richness of the signs, and the correction of errors, always emphasizing the centrality of Christ in the rite.
Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the dicastery, celebrated the opening Mass of the conference, highlighting the Church’s support for the faithful suffering from the action of the devil.
Father Gabriele Amorth, founder and first president of the IAE, who died nine years ago, was also remembered.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
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“Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the dicastery, celebrated the opening Mass of the conference, highlighting the Church’s support for the faithful suffering from the action of the devil.”
In what way has the Church supported the faithful suffering from Arthur Roach’s diabolical assault on SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM TLM?
Is not hatred of Traditional Latin Sacraments and Sacramentals not “One of the Signs” ?
Summorum PONTIFICUM was signed on 07.07.07. The name of God transpires in the date of ppBXVI’s signature: clear indication that it was God’s Work.
So why did Cardinal Arthur Roach have ppF1 sign Traditionis Custodes on 16.07.21 making 5 x 7?
1+6 =1×7
07 = 1×7
21 = 3×7
What diabolery was there herein?
16 was chosen to designate the victim?
Clearly ppBXVI was sensitive to the choice of date for SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM : 07.07.07 features on many a tabernacle.
Father Gabriele Amorth was also remembered by some others. By whom? By those who widely recognized and respected him, although were aware that he made some remarkable, if not bizarre statements. Fr Amorth alleged that there was a satanic cabal at the Vatican, knowledge of which he said was elicited from demons during exorcisms, or from close friends.
However, other Rome exorcists doubted this claiming the devil also deceives. Nonetheless, we have the Pachamama controversy, all this in conjunction with the earth shaking Francis I pontificate and cries of heresy, although actual heresy in canonical terms never occurred. Suggestion yes, although suggestions can always be offered a defense. Similarly, we cannot deny the terrible proximity of the two events.
All said Pope Leo’s personal words of support of exorcists and their place in the Church are certainly welcome.
“Even in the Vatican, we find members of satanic sects… It is priests, bishops, and even cardinals! I know from people who have been able to tell me for the simple reason that they have direct knowledge…”
Fr Gabriel Amorth, 2010.
Fr Peter, this simply has to be the truth because Fr Amorth would not lie. And he was neither publicly reprimanded nor sanctionned by the Pope for the 2010 book.
I don’t discount the possibility. I addressed the matter as questionable in order to be reasonable. I also acknowledged there is reason to speculate there is substance to the Fr Amorth allegation.
Evil can exist at the Vatican without daemonic rituals, supernatural manifestations. Although contrary to some opinion I believe the Pachamama incidents were in fact blasphemous, evil invocations, whether or not the participants were aware.