Rev. George Varughese
Vatican City – March 25, 2026 – Pope Leo XIV held a private audience with senior leaders of the International Association of Exorcists (AIE) on March 13, 2026, where the delegation warned of a sharp worldwide surge in occultism, esotericism, and Satanism that is leading to a dramatic increase in cases of spiritual affliction and requests for deliverance ministry.
The half-hour meeting took place in the Apostolic Palace. Bishop Karel Orlita, president of the AIE, and Father Francesco Bamonte, vice president, presented the Pope with a detailed report describing a “painful and increasingly widespread situation” of people suffering from the extraordinary action of the devil after involvement in occult sects and practices.
“The spread of occultism in its various forms, and of Satanism, unfortunately opens doors and windows to the extraordinary action of the devil in today’s world,” the exorcists told Pope Leo XIV. Call for Exorcists in Every Diocese The AIE leaders urged the Pope to ensure that every Catholic diocese worldwide has at least one — and preferably more — adequately trained exorcist priests. They stressed the urgent need for improved formation, better seminary training, and clear pastoral guidelines to address the growing demand for exorcisms and deliverance prayers.
The meeting addressed, proliferation of occult teachings, rituals, and communities on the internet and social media, growing fascination with witchcraft, magic, esoteric spirituality, and Satanism, particularly among younger generations, Concerns over the use of artificial intelligence to generate or promote dark ritual content, A deepening spiritual vacuum in increasingly secular societies
