Did Pope Francis perform an exorcism at Vatican?

Vatican City: The question has been swirling ever since Francis laid his hands Sunday on the head of a young man after celebrating Mass in St Peter’s Square. According to a voice over in a video by The Repubblica, a priest leans across the young man and says something to Pope Francis , after which the Pope’s expression turns serious. Francis then grips the top of the man’s head firmly and is seen pushing him gently into his wheel chair, while reciting a prayer. The young man then heaves deeply a half-dozen times, convulses and shakes, and then slumps in his wheelchair as Francis prays over him. [caption id=“attachment_802539” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A video grab of Pope Francis praying over a child on a wheelchair. Repubblica TV[/caption] The Pope then smiles and continues his Sunday’s greetings for the sick and disabled visitors. The television station of the Italian bishops’ conference said it had surveyed exorcists, who agreed that Francis either performed an exorcism or a prayer to free the man from the devil. The Vatican was more cautious on Tuesday, saying Francis “didn’t intend to perform any exorcism. But as he often does for the sick or suffering, he simply intended to pray for someone.” Fueling the speculation is Francis’ obsession with the devil, a frequent subject of his homilies. You can watch the video below: With inputs from AP