Vatican to host ‘hot priests' influencers who spread word of God to younger faithful as numbers slump
The Vatican is set to host influencers and missionaries to discuss spreading the church's message through social media — and is looking for help from some 'hot priests' who are turning heads with their bountiful internet followings.
Over 1,000 priests and friars will flock to Rome on Monday to advance efforts to reach the younger generation of would-be worshippers as congregations decline — with some ungodly good-looking priests who are already doing the Lord's work set to attend, The Telegraph reported Saturday.
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One of them is Father Giuseppe Fusari, a bodybuilding silver fox from Brescia, Italy, who has more than 60,000 Instagram followers on Instagram, some of whom are thirsty for more than just communion wine.
'I hope it will bring people closer to the church, there is a lot of curiosity, and I am convinced that social media is one way to attract people,' the tattooed Fusari told the outlet.
5 Father Giuseppe Fusari has amassed a following as broad as his chest on social media, a pulpit where the 58-year-old spreads the Gospel, his reflections on life and beefy pics.
Giuseppe Fusari/Instagram
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5 The bodybuilding 58-year-old regularly flexes his tattooed biceps on Instagram.
Giuseppe Fusari/Instagram
The 58-year-old uses his large online pulpit to not only flex his tattooed biceps and toned chest — but also spread the Gospel and share personal reflections on life.
Most of his followers are between the ages of 25 and 55, according to the Telegraph.
The ruggedly handsome Father Cosimo Schena, Italy's 'most beloved' priest, has seen his flock double in size since he started posting on TikTok and Instagram, the British outlet reported.
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5 Father Cosimo Schena, 46, has become Italy's 'most beloved' priest after years of posting positive messages on social media.
doncosimoschena/Instagram
The 46-year-old from Brindisi, Italy, boasts over 454,000 followers on Instagram, where he posts tons of photos of himself flashing his pearly whites and manicured beard.
Schena also regularly posts photos with his rescue beagle Storm and advocates for his fellow Italians to adopt pets from local shelters.
Offering a softer palate for clergy admirers is Father Ambrogio Mazza.
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5 Father Ambrogio Mazza, 34, shows off both his active lifestyle and his priestly duties on social media.
Don Ambrogio Mazzai, /Instagram
Mazza, 34, is a guitar-playing, bike-riding poet who gives his more than 460,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok glimpses of his life as a priest.
The dashing clergyman shares tons of selfies and snaps of himself conducting his priestly duties — much to the delight of online admirers.
'What a beautiful guy our Father is,' one follower wrote, according to the Telegraph.
5 The strikingly handsome man of God regularly posts selfies online, much to the approval of online admirers.
Don Ambrogio Mazzai, /Instagram
'You are very beautiful and elegant,' another chimed in.
These vow-testingly attractive priests are at the vanguard of the Catholic Church's social media mission laid out by the late Pope Francis and continued by his successor, Pope Leo XIV.
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Since taking office, Pope Leo has made regular use of social media apps such as X to spread the Catholic message to his nearly 19 million followers.
The Vatican has previously attempted to turn attractive priests into community outreach — setting pulses racing with a calendar of gorgeous men of God back in 2022.
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