‘Thousands of exorcists’ needed to tackle rise in Satanism.
Pope warned about shortage of specialist priests as social media and AI ‘fuels paganism and the occult’
The world is in the midst of an exorcist recruitment crisis at a time when more people are turning to Satanism and dark magic, the Pope has been warned.
Paganism and the occult were being fuelled by social media, Pope Leo XIV was told during a Vatican meeting with the International Association of Exorcists (AIE).
Founded in 1994, the AIE provides training and support for exorcists and helps to raise awareness of demonic possession. It has 1,000 members.
Its spokesman said there was a shortfall of more than 2,000 exorcists worldwide, as well as a lack of systemic skills and a shortage of training for young priests. There are about 3,172 Catholic dioceses across the world.
“It would be a significant achievement if every Catholic diocese could have at least one exorcist,” said Dr Alberto Castaldini, a professor of theology.
He added: “Theological and pastoral training are important for raising awareness of this pastoral ministry.
“Unfortunately, this topic is often absent from, or not adequately addressed in, the curricula of seminaries or theological faculties.”
The AIE has an annual conference in Rome, where it has its headquarters, and holds training and refresher courses across the world.
Some seminaries have begun annual meetings with an exorcist priest, but this is not enough to meet the growing demand for exorcists or end the supply crisis.
Dr Castaldini said: “This growing demand derives from a variety of causes. For example, involvement in occult sects, membership of esoteric or neo-pagan circles, or the use of magical practices.
“These factors point to a phenomenon that is undoubtedly on the rise, becoming increasingly widespread and pervasive, fuelled by social media and even artificial intelligence.”
One of the AIE’s founders and presidents was Father Gabriele Amorth, the exorcist for the diocese of Rome. He claimed to have performed more than 160,000 exorcisms before his death in 2016.
Russell Crowe played the priest in the 2023 horror film The Pope’s Exorcist, which was loosely based on the Father’s memoirs.
Pope Leo “recalled his past acquaintance with and appreciation for Father Gabriele Amorth” during the private audience with Mgr Karel Orlita and Father Francesco Bamonte, who now lead the AIE.
The AIE presented the Pontiff with a report on the growing numbers of cases involving Satanism and the spiritual risks they posed.
It asked Pope Leo to ensure every diocese had one or more adequately trained exorcist priests, as well as access to special programmes and courses.
The top exorcists said they had discussed with Pope Leo “the painful and increasingly widespread situation of people seriously disturbed by the extraordinary action of the devil as a result of frequenting occult sects”.
Father Bamonte said: “Ignoring these phenomena leaves many faithful without an adequate response to grave spiritual suffering
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