‘Hot Priests': Vatican's New Move To Attract Young Followers
With congregation numbers declining worldwide, over 1,000 priests and friars have been invited to Rome as part of this fresh push.
The Vatican is going viral—and no, it is not your typical church message. The Church is now using 'hot priests' with a sizable social media following to connect with younger generations and spread the message of faith online. With congregation numbers declining worldwide, over 1,000 priests and friars have been invited to Rome as part of this fresh push.
The idea? Use Instagram, TikTok and other social media platforms to spark interest in religion, especially among the youth.
Father Giuseppe Fusari
Take Father Giuseppe Fusari, for instance, a 58-year-old priest from Brescia, Italy, who is also a bodybuilder. With over 60,000 followers on Instagram, Fusari regularly posts photos flexing his tattooed biceps alongside spiritual reflections. His posts are a perfect balance of strength and soul, drawing attention from followers aged between 25 to 55. Fusari believes that social media is a powerful tool 'to bring people closer to the Church."
Father Cosimo Schena
Then there's Father Cosimo Schena, known as Italy's most beloved priest. His warm, compassionate presence online has helped nearly double the size of his real-life followers. With more than 454,000 followers, Father Schena's posts include it all – from Bible quotes to pet adoption requests, bringing together kindness, community and faith.
Father Ambrogio Mazza
Father Ambrogio Mazza, a guitar-playing, bike-riding priest also makes it to the list. He has over 460,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok. Loving life with joy and style, he continues to inspire fans who describe him as 'elegant," 'cool," and even 'beautiful."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Don Ambrogio Mazzai (@amb.mzz9)
Interestingly, this is not the first time the Church has resorted to looking to maintain its reach. A 2022 calendar featuring handsome Roman priests earlier went viral globally and reportedly sells over 75,000 copies every year.
The late Pope Francis long emphasised the power of social media in reaching global audiences but it was his successor, Pope Leo XIV, who fully embraced it. With nearly 19 million followers, he is often seen promoting digital faith-building.
Simply put, while the Vatican's new viral mission might raise some eyebrows for their muscles, music and meaningful messages, these 'hot priests' are giving a whole new look to spreading the message of faith in the 21st century.
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July 29, 2025, 13:32 IST
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