The cinematic world was recently set ablaze by “The Pope’s Exorcist”, with the magnetizing Russell Crowe taking center stage as the renowned Vatican exorcist, Father Gabriele Amorth. Diving into an eerie narrative of a possessed young boy in Rome, the film managed to garner a significant audience, making it one of Netflix’s reigning champions. Yet, what stands out is the rich history from which the film draws – the personal archives of the real-life Father Amorth.
A Brief Insight into Father Amorth’s Chronicle
When Father Gabriele Amorth left this world in 2016, he left behind tales of over 160,000 exorcisms he performed until 2013. It’s imperative to understand that not all were the dramatic demonic possessions as portrayed in the film. In fact, many were subtle instances of prayers and rituals. He believed that multiple demons could possess a person simultaneously, which perhaps justifies the staggering number he quoted.
Eight Tantalizing Exorcisms That Could Inspire a Sequel
1. The Italian “Peasant” in Rome
A young Italian man, described as a peasant, was brought to Father Amorth in 1997. In an eerie episode reported by the Daily Mail, during the exorcism, the possessed, who could only communicate in Italian, began to profanely curse in English upon the utterance of Jesus Christ’s name. The climax? The man began levitating when instructed by Father Amorth to be released by Lucifer.
2. The Enigma of the Radio-spitting Woman
Among the rare authentic possessions witnessed by Amorth, a woman regurgitating components of a transistor radio stands distinct. He even maintained a collection of such mystically conjured objects, ranging from screws to shards of glass.
3. An 11-Year-Old’s Superhuman Feat
In a spine-chilling encounter, Father Amorth saw an 11-year-old boy, believed to be possessed, overthrow three adult police officers. Another such incident involved a ten-year-old who astonishingly overturned a bulky table.
4. A Glimpse Behind the Curtains by Friedkin
William Friedkin, the mastermind behind the iconic 1973 movie “The Exorcist”, documented an exorcism performed by Father Amorth. This encounter, which deeply disturbed Friedkin, has the potential to bring a gripping perspective to “The Pope’s Exorcist 2”.
5. Bantering with the Beast
Marcello Stanzione recalls instances where Father Amorth, with his unique blend of courage and wit, would humorously retort to the demons, unfazed by their malevolence.
6. The Brescia Girl’s Ordeal
Father Negrini and Amorth teamed up in Brescia, Northern Italy, trying to free a 14-year-old girl from her demonic clutches. A harrowing 12-year journey ensued, which ultimately led to her liberation.
7. Father Amorth’s Interpretation of Satanist Activities
Father Amorth held the belief that seemingly benign activities, such as tarot readings or engaging in seances, could pave the way to possession. He even controversially dubbed “Harry Potter” as the King of Darkness, attributing possessions to involvement in what he viewed as Satanist activities.
8. The Link Between Pop Culture and Possessions
The potential sequel could delve into Father Amorth’s eccentric beliefs, exploring how contemporary pop culture can intersect with ancient evils.
Looking Forward: What Lies Ahead for “The Pope’s Exorcist”?
While a direct sequel to “The Pope’s Exorcist” remains under wraps, the abundance of Father Amorth’s experiences offers a goldmine of narratives waiting to be unearthed. With an expansive landscape teeming with demonic confrontations and exorcisms, Netflix could be sitting on a potential goldmine if they decide to dive deeper into the tales surrounding Father Gabriele Amorth’s intriguing career.
