The possibility of demonic influence on the use of porn is being explored by the Vatican (file picture)

The Vatican is to train priests on how the devil can influence the use of pornography.

The training is to be offered at the 13th annual course on exorcism and liberation prayer, currently underway in Rome.

Speaking about what he said was the widespread use of pornography in modern society, Father Pedro Barrajon said the course wanted to discuss 'this modern cultural phenomenon of an evil that harms people'.

The course aims to 'open a space to see if there is a possibility to show influence from the devil,' Father Barrajon explained.

He said the same applies to drug addiction and cults as well as paedophilia and child pornography, which will all be addressed on the course.

'Does it come only from human causes – psychological, familial, social or cultural – or is there more?' he said, the Catholic News Agency reported.

The course will also feature testimonies from exorcists and people who have been liberated from demonic possession.

The training comes after it emerged there has been a threefold rise in the demand for exorcisms.

The increase prompted the Vatican to hold an international conference earlier this year in a bid to train more priests to carry them out.

The training for the priests is being offered at the annual course on exorcism and liberation prayer, currently underway in Rome (file picture)

The church has reported a three fold increase in the demand for exorcisms (file picture)

The church is concerned that the skills of some of its current exorcists have declined and is worried priests are no longer willing to learn the techniques.

According to Friar Beningo Palilla, one of the organisers of a conference on the issue, which took place in Sicily, there are now some 500,000 cases requiring exorcism in Italy each year.

He blamed the increase on a growing number of people seeking the services of fortune tellers and Tarot readers in recent years.

Such practices 'open the door to the devil and to possession,' he claimed.

Many of the cases are not actually related to demonic possession, but to spiritual or psychological problems, he said, but they nonetheless must be investigated.