POPE WANTS TO BAN HALLOWEEN BECAUSE IT'S 'EVIL' AND REPLACE IT WITH 'HOLYWEEN'

Father Aldo Buonaiuto, of the International Association of Exorcists, said the organisation's exorcism hotline receives around 40 calls a day over this period

Catholic Church exorcists have blasted 'evil' Halloween and called for it to be scrapped in favour of 'Holyween' - where children attend prayer vigils dressed as saints.

The Vatican's first official conference of exorcists warned an increase in occult activity was down to the celebration on October 31.

The most common problem is parents who fear their child has been initiated into the occult.

He added: "Many say Halloween is a simple carnival, but in fact there is nothing innocent or fun about it - it is the antechamber to something much more dangerous.

"There are always more evil rituals, animal sacrifices, desecrations of cemeteries and thefts of sacred bones at the time of the 31 October."

He claimed Halloween is the 'best time of year' for sects to recruit new members.

Father Buonaiuto said: "From here the door to the devil can be opened. For this reason its necessary for us to speak out and not play down the danger."

To counter the dangerous Halloween festivities, the Catholic Church in Italy have launched 'Holyween'.

There will be masses, prayer vigils and worship to celebrate the saints and victory of good over evil.

The conference of 300 exorcists from all over the world took place over the weekend after the exorcism group was officially recognised by the Vatican in June.

At the conference, Pope Francis warned they must treat those possessed with 'kindness'.

culled from Mirror Online