The Pope's severe illness in The Pope's Exorcist was strongly indicated to be a direct result of demonic possession.
The Supernatural Cause of the Pope's Illness
The narrative of The Pope's Exorcist heavily implies that the Pope himself was afflicted by a demonic entity, or at least profoundly impacted by the malevolent force at play. His grave condition became evident shortly after he began reviewing Father Amorth's detailed case notes regarding the ongoing possession of Henry.
Key indicators pointing to demonic influence include:
- Sudden Onset: The Pope's health deteriorated significantly after his exposure to the case specifics of Henry's possession, suggesting a supernatural link rather than a conventional illness.
- Miraculous Recovery: His health experienced a dramatic and sudden turnaround. This recovery coincided precisely with the successful exorcism of the demon Asmodeus from Henry during the film's third act. The immediate and complete resolution of his illness after the demon was cast out from Henry serves as a strong indication that the Pope's sickness was tied to the same demonic presence, implying he too was under its influence.
This supernatural connection underscores the pervasive and insidious nature of demonic power portrayed in the film, capable of affecting individuals even through indirect means like documentation, or by subtly possessing multiple targets.
