Pope Leo XIV sends message to exorcists gathered in Rome

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.