The Vatican is turning to social media-savvy clergy, including bodybuilding friars and Instagram-famous priests, to bridge the gap with younger generations amid declining church attendance in Europe. Over 1,000 participants—ranging from clergy to lay communicators—will convene in Rome starting Monday for a digital evangelism summit organized by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication. The event aims to train attendees in content creation, online ethics, and effectively communicating religious teachings on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Dubbed “hot priests” by media outlets such as The Telegraph and The Guardian, several clerics attending the summit have gained viral followings by blending spirituality with relatable content. Father Giuseppe Fusari, a 58-year-old bodybuilder and art historian from Brescia, mixes scripture quotes with gym selfies for his 60,000 Instagram followers. “Social media is one way to attract people,” he told The Telegraph, emphasizing the importance of meeting youth where they are.
Father Cosimo Schena, 46, shares spiritual poetry and photos of his rescue dog, Storm, to over 450,000 followers, a strategy that reportedly doubled attendance at his parish. Meanwhile, 34-year-old Father Ambrogio Mazza uses TikTok and Instagram—where he has 460,000 followers—to post guitar sessions, daily life snippets, and brief sermons. While the Vatican has not formally acknowledged the “hot priest” moniker, officials stress the summit’s focus on fostering meaningful online engagement rather than cultivating celebrity status.
The initiative reflects broader efforts to counter secularization, particularly in Europe, by modernizing outreach methods. Pope Francis first prioritized digital evangelism during his papacy, a strategy continued by his successor, Pope Leo XIV. This week’s summit precedes the Jubilee of Youth gathering in August, part of a recurring event series aimed at reconnecting the Church with younger demographics.
Critics question whether blending faith with influencer culture risks diluting religious messaging, but supporters argue it meets a practical need. “The Church must speak the language of today,” said one Vatican official, who requested anonymity. Training sessions will address balancing doctrinal clarity with the informal tone of social media, as well as ethical concerns around online interactions. Whether scrolling through gym selfies or dog photos, the Vatican hopes such content will open digital doors for deeper spiritual conversations.
