Father Gabriel Amorth, 86, who has carried out more than 70,000 exorcisms in a career spanning 25 years after being appointed by the late Pope John Paul II, said: "Pope Benedict has done many things for exorcists.

"He has allowed them within the catechism of the Catholic Church, consenting them to administer the sacrament of exorcism to people suffering from demonic possession.

"But not only to them, also those who suffer other evil disorders such as being plagued by devils and diabolic infestation."