![[ image: width=150]](/olmedia/260000/images/_263604_book150.jpg)
And for the first time it has warned against mistaking diabolic possession of the spirit with mental illness.
Pope John Paul II himself has approved the guidelines for deciding when and how to perform exorcisms, last issued in 1614.
Except for some new formulas for priests authorised by bishops to read during exorcisms, the text is largely unchanged. What is new is the caution that determines if exorcism is warranted.
"The exorcist will decide with prudence" after consulting with spiritual experts and "if considered opportune, with experts in medical and psychiatric science," the new rules stress.
So far the new rite is available only in Latin, bound in a red, leather-bound, 84-page book with red bookmark, but it will be translated into modern languages.
During his papacy, the Pope has denounced the devil in a series of homilies as a "cosmic liar and murderer" although opinion polls indicate the devil has largely slipped out of Christian consciousness.
"The existence of the devil isn't an opinion, something to take or leave as you wish," said Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, a Vatican official, adding that belief in Satan was a tenet of Catholic faith.
The devil "deceives men, making them believe that you find happiness in money, in power, in carnal desire," said the cardinal who presented the revised rules.
Signs of the devil's presence are said to include:
The rite of exorcism itself remains essentially the same, including making the sign of the cross, sprinkling holy water and ordering the devil to leave the possessed person.
People convinced they are victims of the "evil eye" and other curses do not need exorcisms, say the rules, but special prayers are suggested.
Vatican officials said they had no figures on how many exorcisms were performed, but major dioceses do have their own exorcists.
Media ban
One new rule is a ban on media coverage of exorcisms. A 1991 exorcism in Florida of a young girl was filmed for US network television.
The Pope himself once performed an exorcism during his papacy, according to the memoirs of Cardinal Jacques Martin, the former prefect of the pontifical household.
Quoting the late cardinal's book, "My Six Popes," the Italian news agency ANSA said Pope John Paul II carried out the rite in 1982, driving out the devil from a woman who was brought to him, writhing on the ground.
As advances in science and psychiatry have led the Church to perform exorcisms relatively rarely in recent decades, exorcism is actually more popular in countries where Christianity is not well established.
Middle East
Africa
Europe
Americas
South Asia
From Our Own Correspondent
Letter From America
Asia-Pacific
The Exorcist - hype or horror?
(02 Nov 98 | Entertainment)
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Microsoft trial mediator appointed
(From Business)
Violence greets Clinton visit
Taxman scoops a million
(From Entertainment)
Safety chief deplores crash speculation
Hurricane Lenny abates
Bush calls for 'American internationalism'
EU fraud: a billion dollar bill
Russian forces pound Grozny
Senate passes US budget
Boy held after US school shooting
Cardinal may face loan-shark charges
Sudan power struggle denied
Sharif: I'm innocent
Vodafone takeover battle heats up
(From Business)
India's malnutrition 'crisis'
Next steps for peace
Homeless suffer as quake toll rises
Dam builders charged in bribery scandal
Burundi camps 'too dire' to help
DiCaprio film trial begins
Memorial for bonfire dead
Spy allegations bug South Africa
Senate leader's dismissal 'a good omen'
Tamil rebels consolidate gains
New constitution for Venezuela
Hurricane pounds Caribbean
Millennium sect heads for the hills
South African gays take centre stage
Lockerbie trial judges named