I MUST SAY THAT WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE AND POPE FRANCIS PONTIFICATE HAS ENDED, HIS TEACHINGS ON THE DEVIL WILL BE ONE OF THE BRIGHT SPOTS REMEMBERED BY ORTHODOX CATHOLICISM

 In the post Vatican II Church of the late 60's through the 80's, talk of the devil was seldom heard. Charismatic Catholics, however, kept it alive but in unhealthy, non Catholic, Protestant Pentecostal ways.

As pastor in Augusta throughout the 1990's where there is a large Catholic Charismatic community, I would often engage in severe criticism with them as there was an unfortunate practice of "headship and submission" in the community by some laymen having religious authority over other lay members. And within that context of Pentecostal prayer, they practiced "Deliverance" which in effect was like a major exorcism but a Pentecostal form of it. The leader engaged in a dialogue with the evil spirit or the devil  they presumed was in the person being delivered.

Thus it is refreshing that Pope Francis has a wonderful body of teachings on the devil and his influence in our lives. Today's Angelus address in Rome for the First Sunday of Lent is not exception:

Pope Francis at the Sunday Angelus  (Vatican Media)

Pope Francis: With faith, prayer and penance we overcome evil

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis explained how the Word of God shows us the path to live fruitfully the 40 days of Lent we have just embarked upon.

By Vatican News staff writer

The account in Mark’s Gospel (Mk 1:12-15) on this first Sunday of Lent emphasizes that the “Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert”. There, the Pope noted, Jesus remained forty days and was tempted by Satan. The natural and symbolic reality of the desert is the place “where God speaks to the human heart and prayer is a response”, he observed, but it is also the place of “trial and temptation” and the “’duel’ between Jesus and the devil begins, which will end with the Passion and the Cross.” At the same time, Jesus’ entire existence is placed under the sign of the Spirit of God, who animates, inspires and guides him.

The Pope continued that the entire ministry of Christ marks a struggle against the Evil One  - whether healing from illness, liberating the possessed, and forgiving sins. While it may appear that the devil has the upper hand when the Son of God is rejected, captured and condemned to death, in reality, the Pope remarked, “death was the last ‘desert’ to cross” to finally defeat Satan and free us all from his power.

The Pope said when we read about the desert and temptations, Christians are reminded that by following in the Lord’s footsteps, our lives also are a struggle against the spirit of evil, where the devil can tempt us. He said we must be fully aware of the presence of this astute enemy “who seeks our eternal condemnation, our failure, and prepare to defend ourselves against him and to combat him.” He added that Jesus never dialogued with the devil. Rather, Jesus always sent him away or responded with the Word of God. We also, the Pope said, should never enter into dialogue with the devil and his temptations.

At the same time, the grace of God assures us, that with faith, prayer and penance, we can defeat the enemy.

In conclusion, the Pope said “We are called to walk in God’s footsteps, renewing our Baptismal promises: renouncing Satan, and all his works and all his empty promises.”. He then encouraged us to call on the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary.