Don't be naive, the devil exists, Pope tells congregation
October 11, 2013
Pope Francis stated emphatically that the Devil’s existence is a reality, in his homily at a daily Mass on October 11.
The Pope observed that some priests, when they preach about Gospel accounts of Jesus driving out demons, say that the stories refer to mental illness. It is true that sometimes mental illness can mimic demonic possession, the Pope conceded. “But it is also true that there was the devil!”
“We should not be naïve,” the Pope continued. The devil is a reality, and refusing to recognize the struggle between Jesus and the devil is a way of only “halfway” accepting the salvific role of Jesus Christ. The Lord came to end “the enslavement the devil has over us,” the Pope said. He reminded his congregation of Christ’s words from the day’s Gospel: “Either you are with me or you are against me.”
Pope Francis urged the faithful to guard against the devil, relying on the Holy Spirit and remaining vigilant against temptations.
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Posted by: impossible -
Oct. 16, 2013 11:05 AM ET USA
The Devil's helpers also exist, within and without the Church.
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Posted by: samuel.doucette1787 -
Oct. 15, 2013 1:37 PM ET USA
I also can't wait to see that some cranky traditionalist blog will say that Pope Francis somehow broke with Tradition. Anything he says will be miscontrued by those with an agenda other than that of spreading the Gospel truth in its entirety.
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Posted by: John J Plick -
Oct. 12, 2013 2:56 PM ET USA
Ah..., I remember the 2000 pigs who became "mentally ill" and who all plunged over a cliff after Jesus cured the "mentally ill" man.
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Posted by: jg23753479 -
Oct. 11, 2013 9:15 PM ET USA
I can't wait to read this in the headline of the NY Times tomorrow. Also can't wait to read Obama's comment to the effect that the pope took the words straight out of his mouth, and that he intended to say the very same thing in an upcoming speech to be delivered in San Francisco.
