The Vatican has invited influencers and missionaries, known as “hot priests” by media, to a digital evangelism summit in Rome aimed at engaging younger audiences and countering declining church attendance. The event, organized by the Dicastery for Communication, will include training on digital engagement and content production.
Among the participants are several priests who have gained significant followings for their online presence and religious messages. Father Giuseppe Fusari, a 58-year-old tattooed bodybuilder and art historian with over 60,000 Instagram followers, is one of the notable figures. His posts often blend gym photos with scripture and personal reflections, attracting a younger audience.
Other participants include Father Cosimo Schena, 46, who posts spiritual poetry and photos with his rescue dog Storm to an audience of over 450,000. His online activity reportedly helped double attendance at his parish. Father Ambrogio Mazza, 34, shares guitar sessions, brief sermons, and scenes from daily life with over 460,000 followers across both TikTok and Instagram.
The Vatican has not publicly addressed the “hot priest” label but emphasizes the goal of equipping clergy for meaningful engagement online. The summit, organized by the Dicastery for Communication, includes training on content production, digital ethics, and communicating doctrine on social media. This initiative follows the larger Jubilee of Youth gathering in early August and continues a digital strategy launched under Pope Francis and maintained by Pope Leo XIV.