Pope ‘didn’t intend to perform exorcism’ - Vatican

POPE Francis’ obsession with the devil has taken on remarkable new twists, with a well-known exorcist insisting Francis helped “liberate” a Mexican man from four different demons, despite the Vatican’s insistence that no such papal exorcism took place.

Pope Francis performing what many believe to be an exorcism. Picture: AP

The Rev. Gabriele Amorth, an exorcist for the diocese of Rome, said he performed an exorcism of his own on the man on Tuesday. He said the demonic possession was related to the legalisation of abortion in Mexico City.

Images of Francis laying his hands on the head of a young man in a wheelchair in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday have raised speculation that he may have performed an exorcism. The man heaved deeply a half-dozen times, shook, then slumped in his wheelchair.

The television station of the Italian bishops’ conference said it had surveyed exorcists, who agreed that Francis either performed an exorcism or a prayer to free the man from the devil.

The Vatican insists the pope didn’t intend to perform an exorcism.

In a statement, it said Francis “didn’t intend to perform any exorcism. But as he often does for the sick or suffering, he simply intended to pray for someone who was suffering who was presented to him.”