The Gospel reading at Mass spoke of Jesus casting out devils, and the Pharisees accusing him of driving out demons by the power of the Beelzebul, the prince of demons. It also spoke of a devil returning after being cast out, bringing other demons with it and setting up shop in the house where it had been before.

In his homily in the chapel at the Saint Martha residence, the Pope said that in the spiritual life “temptations always return, the evil spirit never gets tired.” If he has been kicked out once, he is patient, waiting to return, and “If you let him in, you fall into a worse situation.” ...