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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Pope Francis & the Devil

Fr. David Friel · February 1, 2015

EOPLE DON’T TALK much about the devil. These days, talking about the devil is often seen as “antiquated” or “from a different era.” But the devil is real. We have always believed that, and we believe it still. If you listen to Pope Francis’ talks (and not just to the sound bites the news likes to quote), you’ll notice that he talks about the devil . . . a lot.

For example, in a June 2013 audience, Pope Francis said: “Look around us—it is enough to open a newspaper, as I said—we see the presence of evil. The devil is acting.”

In October 2013, the pontiff proclaimed in a morning meditation: “A battle exists, a battle in which the eternal salvation of us all is at stake.”

In a September 2013 letter to Argentinian bishops, the pope quoted Blessed José Gabriel Brochero (the “Gaucho priest”), who said: “There’ll be trouble if the devil robs me of a single soul.”

Satan was a topic even in the Holy Father’s first public appearance with the Pope Emeritus in June 2014, when Francis declared: “In consecrating the Vatican City State to St. Michael the Archangel, let us ask him to defend us from the Evil One and cast him out.”

Even before his days as pope, then-Cardinal Bergoglio wrote in the 2010 book, On Heaven and Earth: “I believe that the Devil exists” and “his greatest achievement in these times has been to make us believe that he doesn’t exist.”

This is only a small sampling. None of these comments should surprise us, inasmuch as Papa Bergoglio comes to us through the Jesuits, whose expertise is the discernment of spirits (both good & evil).

The Gospel read at Mass today in the Ordinary Form is about an interaction that Jesus has with the devil. There are more than a few such scenes in the Scriptures, but this one starts out: “In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit.” Jesus has a short conversation with the unclean spirit, and then He commands it: “Quiet! Come out of him!” Then, the story says, “The unclean spirit convulsed [the man] and, with a loud cry, came out of him.”

This story simply does not strike me as “archaic” or “from a different era.” What is your sense? Don’t you think there are “unclean spirits” at work in the world today?

I certainly do. I sense them in the folks I’ve known struggling with addiction, who seem robbed of their will power and freedom. I see the “Culture of Death” that promotes abortion & euthanasia as an “unclean spirit” in our land. The corruption we have seen in the Church and in other institutions is most certainly evidence of “unclean spirits.”

There are also the “unclean spirits” of vengeance & torture & bullying & prejudice & pornography (which has become so devastatingly rampant). “Unclean spirits” take the form of depression & anxiety & fear & loneliness. Yes, in the world around us, I see a world of unclean spirits.

We Catholics also believe that the world is full of pure spirits. We believe that each human person has a guardian angel. We believe that myriads of angels are present every time we celebrate Holy Mass (Hebrews 12:22). But, just as surely as we hold to the claim that there are angels in the world, we should not downplay the presence of demons in the world.

What should we do about them? Just as in the days of the Gospel, the best solution is to turn these spirits over to the Lord. We are so often powerless in the face of these things. But, in the hands of the Lord, it is the unclean spirits that become powerless. In addition, it is wise to enlist the support and favors of the angelic spirits against the wiles of the demonic spirits. Praying the prayer to St. Michael each day would be worthwhile in this regard.

C. S. Lewis makes an important point in his famous book, The Screwtape Letters. He makes the point that the devil is never so powerful as when we deny his existence.

So, let’s acknowledge his existence. Jesus did. And, like Jesus, let’s beg the Father in heaven to drive out the unclean spirits that oppress us.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Pope Francis Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for 14 September 2025, which is the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“I left music college swearing never to write another note again … It was during the mid-1980s when esoteric and cerebral avant-garde music was still considered the right kind of music to be writing.”

— James MacMillan

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