Pope Leo XIII was a revered figure in the Catholic Church, known for his piety and devotion to God. However, in the early 1900s, rumors began to circulate that he was being plagued by demonic activity. He was said to be seeing apparitions and hearing voices, and his health was declining rapidly.
The Vatican appointed Father Amorth, a young priest with a reputation for his exorcism abilities, to perform the rite. Amorth was initially skeptical, as he had never seen a case of possession in such a high-ranking member of the church before.
Upon arriving at the Vatican, Amorth was greeted by a group of officials who had been monitoring Leo XIII’s condition. They escorted him to the Pope’s chambers, where he found the aged pontiff lying on his bed, barely conscious.
Amorth began the exorcism ritual, reciting and performing the sign of the cross over the Pope’s body. As he did so, Leo XIII began to writhe and convulse, his body contorting in ways that seemed impossible for an old man.
As the hours wore on, Amorth continued to recite prayers and sprinkle holy water on the Pope. He also called upon the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael to assist him in casting out the demons.
Finally, after a grueling ten-hour ordeal, the demons were driven out of Leo XIII’s body. The Pope regained consciousness and appeared to be in good health.
However, the exorcism did not go unnoticed. Many in the Catholic Church were outraged that such a sacred and revered figure as the Pope could have been possessed, and the Vatican became embroiled in a scandal that would take years to fully die down.
Father Amorth, for his part, went on to become one of the most famous exorcists in history. He performed literally thousands of exorcisms over the course of his career, and was known for his dedication to his work and his compassionate approach to those who were possessed.
Today, the exorcism of Leo XIII is still considered one of the most shocking and dramatic exorcisms in history. It is often cited as evidence of the reality of possession and the importance of trained exorcists, as well as a cautionary tale of the dangers of dabbling in the supernatural.
Despite the controversy surrounding the event, Father Amorth remained committed to his faith and his work. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, faith, and courage that continues to inspire exorcists and believers around the world.