In a message to the participants of the 15th Conference of the International Association of Exorcists (IAE), held from 15 to 20 September at the “Fraterna Domus” spirituality house in Sacrofano, province of Rome, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the relevance and delicacy of the exorcist’s ministry today.

The Pontiff emphasized that this ministry is “more necessary than ever,” encouraging priests to exercise it as an act of liberation and consolation. He urged them to accompany the faithful suffering from evil through prayer and the invocation of Christ’s effective presence, so that, through the sacrament of exorcism, the Lord may grant victory over Satan.

The conference, which brought together approximately 300 priests and auxiliary exorcists from all continents, focused on the importance of the ministry of exorcism as a “concrete sign” of the Church’s love for those who suffer. During the celebration of Mass in the Sacrofano, Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, reflected on the meaning of accompanying those suffering from the devil, noting that in doing so, they share in the sufferings of Christ.

For his part, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, in his homily on September 19, recalled that in the Church, to serve means to receive a gift that must be preserved and renewed in humility. In this sense, the exorcist priest works with this gift that belongs to Christ.

This international meeting reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to providing spiritual and pastoral care to those facing suffering and oppression, highlighting the importance of prayer and accompaniment in the process of liberation.