Pope Leo XIV met with exorcists at the Vatican as the Catholic Church raised concerns over rising occult practices and the need for better-trained clergy to support vulnerable believers.
Pope Leo XIV has hosted members of the International Association of Exorcists (AIE) at the Vatican, amid concerns over a reported rise in occult practices and cases linked to spiritual distress. The meeting followed the presentation of a report highlighting increasing demand for trained exorcists across Catholic dioceses worldwide.
The AIE urged the Church to ensure each diocese has at least one properly trained exorcist, warning that a lack of guidance could leave vulnerable individuals seeking help from unverified or harmful sources. Officials stressed the need for structured training, improved discernment, and collaboration with mental health professionals to properly address complex cases.
Church leaders also raised concerns about the growing appeal of occultism and related practices, noting their potential psychological and spiritual impact on believers. The Vatican emphasised a balanced approach focused on pastoral care, education, and support, rather than sensationalism, as it seeks to respond to the issue globally.
NEWS NOW:
- President Trump says he knew nothing about his wife Melania’s surprise statement distancing herself from Jeffrey Epstein
- Fox correspondent says Melania Trump’s Epstein statement “came out of left field”
- Joe Rogan warns AI could expose everyone’s private data within a year
- Melania Trump says rumours linking her to Epstein ‘need to stop’