Cardinal outlines rules to beat Devil

A leading cleric tipped to succeed the Pope has published ten rules on how to resist Satan.

Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, Archbishop of Genoa, believes the rules will help the faithful combat the Devil, who he describes as charming, shrewd and very real.

In his lent letter the Cardinal states it is vital not to forget the devil exists.

Other rules include being strong in spirit and virtue and not to make the mistake of thinking the devil is stupid.

But the Milan-based Theological Studies Centre, independent of the Vatican, has condemned the letter for bringing Satan back into the realm of human responsibility.

"To attribute guilt to the devil could encourage people to be irresponsible," a spokesman told La Republica newspaper.

The Devil, also known as Beelzebub, is a fallen angel who sinned by pride and was banished from heaven, says The Bible.