Found myself in the throes of another night terror, a typical PD symptom that’s quite unsettling as it usually means I wake up screaming at the top of my lungs.

Last night, I screamed myself awake, bellowing ‘Vade retro, satanas!’

Today I learnt that one of Pope Leo’s namesake predecessors had personal encounters with the old serpent and wrote an Exorcism instruction as well as the stunning St. Michael’s Prayer (see below).

So far I have a good feeling about the new Vicar of Christ. Will we see the return of the Lion of Judah under the reign of Pope Leo IV?

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and all of the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.