Satan is real, Pope reminds congregation
April 11, 2014
The devil is a reality, Pope Francis reminded worshippers at a Mass on April 11.
“The devil is here, even in the 21st century,” the Pope said in his homily. “And we mustn’t be naïve, right?”
Commenting on Satan’s temptations of Jesus, the Pope said: “We too are tempted; we too are the targets of attacks by the devil, because the spirit of evil does not want our holiness, he does not want our Christian witness, he does not want us to be disciples of Christ.”
Temptations have three characteristics, the Pope continued. They begin gradually and grow; they infect other people; and they seek to justify themselves. Everyone is tempted, the Pope said. The best solution is “to be vigilant and not to give in to that initial temptation.”
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Posted by: Kansas Girl -
Apr. 14, 2014 3:34 PM ET USA
It's good to hear the Pope speak about the devil, especially in these times when so many doubt his existence. The devil makes sin seem so attractive and gives us no inkling of its addictiveness. Yet, once we are addicted, we become slaves to it.
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Posted by: florentine -
Apr. 12, 2014 1:58 PM ET USA
So true! Every dark deed, horror story, downfall can be traced back to the openings we allow to the devil's infiltration when we fail to fight against the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life." If anyone doubts the devil's pernicious presence in contemporary society, just watch most of TV for a day or so, and you can see how we are being plundered and pillaged by the demonic. "The devil wants to lead you to hell and give you nothing." C.S. Lewis.
