The Vatican are training up ordinary doctors , teachers and psychologists to cope with a rising tide of demonic possessions . More than 40 years after The Exorcist left cinema audiences green , the Vatican has gathered a team of experts including practising exorcists to give ordinary Catholics the tools needed to recognise a case of demonic possession when they see one – and teach them what to do about it . The tenth edition of the annual course , ‘ Exorcism and Prayer of Liberation , ’ sponsored by the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy , the department responsible for overseeing matters regarding priests , began this morning at Rome ’ s Regina Apostolorum University . More than 40 years after The Exorcist ( pictured ) left cinema audiences green , The Vatican are training up ordinary doctors , teachers and psychologists to cope with a rising tide of demonic possessions . One of the main purposes of the course is help would-be exorcists distinguish demonic possession from psychological or medical conditions , organisers said . In 2013 Francis appeared to perform an exorcism on a young man in a wheelchair who shook violently when the pope laid his hands on him and said a blessing . He has frequently expressed the belief that the devil really exists and is not merely ‘ a myth , a figure , an idea , the idea of evil. ’ Experts say demonic activity is on the rise due to an in creased interest in the occult among the young including ouija boards and seances . Last year the International Association of Exorcists claimed it was ‘ a pastoral emergency. ” . In 2013 , Pope Francis ( pictured ( appeared to perform an exorcism on a young man in a wheelchair . The Vatican tried to introduce Holyween , where children would dress up as saints and attend prayer vigils instead of Halloween . Father Pedro Barrajon , director of the Sacerdos Institute , which is organising the course said ‘ Living in an increasingly secularised society than in the past there is more tendency to open the door to the occult . Demonic activity is increased by the practice of magic and visiting fortune tellers which can increase the likelihood of a possession ’ .
Doctors , teachers and psychologists being trained to cope with rising tide . The Exorcist film left cinema audiences green more than 40 years ago . Comment: Course aims to help would-be exorcists distinguish demonic possession from psychological or medical conditions .