Catholic leaders warn AI is fueling occult rituals and exorcism demands

A recent conference on exorcism and deliverance has raised concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence in occult practices. Experts and Catholic leaders warned that AI chatbots and online communities are increasingly being used for rituals, divination, and even forms of worship. The discussions followed reports of a rise in exorcism requests linked to occult activities and declining religious engagement among young people. At the event, keynote speaker Beatrice Ugolini highlighted how some online groups now treat AI systems as 'ritual altars'. She noted that certain movements have begun revering artificial intelligence itself, with internet communities forming around the worship of chatbots after prolonged interaction. Ugolini’s warnings came as the International Association of Exorcists reported a surge in cases tied to occult practices and Satanism, urging dioceses to train more exorcists.

Therapist Sean Tobin cautioned that AI’s constant affirmation and personalisation could leave users spiritually exposed. He suggested that over-reliance on such systems might weaken people’s ability to think critically, make decisions, and exercise sound judgement. Despite these concerns, Tobin expressed optimism, pointing to recent reports of more people joining the Catholic Church. Auxiliary Bishop Cesare Di Pietro of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela linked the rise in exorcism requests to a decline in religious practice among younger generations. He also warned that social media and AI can create the false belief that freedom comes from rejecting faith. His comments echoed Pope Leo XIV’s earlier message for the 2026 World Day of Social Communications, where the pontiff stated that AI systems 'not only interfere with information ecosystems but also encroach upon the deepest level of communication—human relationships'.

The conference underscored the challenges posed by AI’s role in modern spiritual practices. Catholic leaders and exorcists called for greater awareness of how digital tools may contribute to occult engagement and spiritual vulnerability. Meanwhile, the Church continues to respond to rising demand for exorcisms while encouraging renewed religious participation.