Papal blessing stirs exorcism speculation
Papal focus on Satan believed to have sparked debate over encounter on St Peter's Square
The question has been swirling around ever since Francis laid his hands on the head of a young man after celebrating Mass in St Peter's Square on Sunday.
The young man heaved deeply a half-dozen times, shook, and then slumped in his wheelchair as Francis prayed over him.
The television station of the Italian bishops' conference said it had surveyed exorcists, who agreed there was "no doubt" that Francis either performed an exorcism or a prayer to free the man from the devil.
The Vatican was more cautious on Tuesday, saying Francis "didn't intend to perform any exorcism. But as he often does for the sick or suffering, he simply intended to pray for someone who was suffering who was presented to him".
Fuelling the speculation is Francis' obsession with Satan, a frequent subject of his homilies. In his very first homily as pope, on March 14, Francis warned cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel the day after he was elected that "he who doesn't pray to the Lord prays to the devil".
He has since mentioned the devil on a handful of occasions, most recently in a May 4 homily when, in his morning Mass in the Vatican hotel chapel, he spoke of the need for dialogue — except with Satan.