The Pope’s Exorcist: 101 Questions About Fr. Gabriele Amorth

by Sophia Institute Press

In times of escalating evil, exorcists find themselves in greater demand. Here is a never-before-published collection of questions and answers that takes you beyond Hollywood hyperbole and deep into Fr. Amorth’s real-life private world, giving you a harrowing vision of his daily battles with the devil and a fascinating glimpse into his sacred ministry.

The editors at Sophia Institute Press—publisher of three best-selling books by Fr. Amorth—separate the fantasy from the facts surrounding what really occurs in exorcisms. They share examples of demonic obsession and possession from Fr. Amorth’s experience. The editors also lay out the alarming cause of most cases of possession (you will never guess the origin!), what exorcism really is, how it is performed, and its biblical history.

These absorbing pages reveal:


Father’s intense daily schedule and the astounding number of exorcisms he performed
Secrets of Fr. Amorth’s mystical life, including his supernatural visions
The saint who was Fr. Amorth’s spiritual director and another saint who is known for his effectiveness against demons
Straightforward answers to common questions on the devil and demons
Who the first exorcist was and thrilling stories about saints who performed exorcisms
What the room where the exorcisms took place looked like and the “tools” used during exorcisms
You will get the answers to questions such as: Do demons really spit nails and perform other supernatural acts? Why did God make the devil and Hell? What do Catholics believe about spells and magic? Are Reiki, yoga, and transcendental meditation things you should avoid? What about rock music and Harry Potter? In addition, you will read about the most common “gateway” sins that lead to demonic activity and will glean ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from evil and its many influences . This handy book also includes prayers of liberation and advice to follow when you are experiencing spiritual warfare yourself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion

112 pages, Paperback

Published March 20, 2023

Reviews

[Rico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read other books by or about Gabriel Amorth this really should be seen as an introduction to who this famous exorcist is and what the reality of exorcism really is. Hollywood can popularize, but often pays for some of the drama by way of the truth. There is a very helpful list of reading suggestions and resources in the back that anyone interested in the subject through the film would do well to follow up on.

[Jennifer Keaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy read. Question and answer format. Information given was brief and straightforward. This is not and in depth Q and A. These are quick answers to many of the most thought of and asked questions about the topic of exorcism. Overall good read- but wasn’t exactly what I was expecting based on the book blurb description I was left wanting a little more.

[Amber Hyland · Rating 1 out of 5]

A truly diabolical, fear mongering read not based in any evidence based psychological resources, and clearly for the sheer purpose of controlling if not otherwise manipulating vulnerable people of faith. If you are a person of faith and also struggle with mental health, stay away from this book.

Outright pronunciations of ideology that go against modern psychology - including - and I quote - that people should “guard their every thought” and “former demoniacs bear mental and spiritual scars for the rest of their lives”. A recipe for encouraging falsehoods around OCD and anxiety disorders - oh, and then also labelling these illnesses as pregnable tools of the devil.

Personal theistic debate aside, there is contradiction after contradiction, citing the importance of exorcism as being a Catholic practice done by a Catholic priest, but then back channeling to state that “anyone” can perform liberating prayers and minor exorcisms, including over the phone. I could ramble all day about the absurdity of such a notion.

Blatant evidence of structural racism and obvious cultural, ethnic and spiritual erasure of indigenous communities not uncommon to the Catholic Church. Carefully treading around the topic of Eastern practises so as to not directly call them demonic, but imply as such.

Read it as a former Catholic and reminded of why I left. A truly infuriating read for anyone who cares about the welfare of vulnerable people and upholding modern psychological science and medicine.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Gabriele Amorth was a well-known Catholic priest who practiced the rite of exorcism for the Diocese of Rome. He passed away in 2016. A number of books have been written by and about Father Amorth and his work. Although loosely based on its subject, the movie The Pope's Exorcist starring Russell Crowe came out earlier this year. This small book of the same title, seeks to answer 101 questions concerning exorcism and Father Amorth, seeking to separate fact from Hollywood fiction. Using a question and answer format, it's easy to read and understand. The end matter contains a list of resources to explore and suggested prayers for deliverance. An interesting read with a few surprises here and there.

[Daniel Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book that largely confirms what I know of exorcisms. It can be a scary topic, but it is real and worth knowing about. I am constantly impressed by the courage and confidence of the exorcists themselves. Learning more has made me less afraid.

The only point that I have qualms with is question #50: He states that the majority of possessed people are innocent victims of curses by the wicked. This is inconsistent with what I’ve learned from other exorcists who claim that people can only be possessed through their own sin and acceptance of the demon. I think the latter point makes more sense but would like to clarify.

[Rachel Vryhof · Rating 4 out of 5]

So short it almost can't be considered a book, but full of good Q&As that get you thinking more about the topic. I definitely appreciated the extensive resources list at the end of the book with suggestions for reading and videos that expand on spiritual discernment as a whole.

[Chris Wentzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a cradle, Catholic that has found myself drifting in these confusing times. This was a very good reminder of things I forgot I knew about Satan and evil that is in the world. I had no idea each diocese should have an exorcist established by the bishop, and that there is a shortage of exorcists.

[Michael Kuzmicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great companion to the newly released movie

If you want more background information to supplement the recent movie the Pope's exorcist, this is the book for you