Celebrating the Influencer's Anniversary: Uniting to Inspire Optimism
In the heart of Rome, the Auditorium Conciliatione played host to a unique gathering this morning, as over 1,000 digital missionaries from around the globe convened for the kick-off event of the Holy Year celebration. The event, organised during the Holy Year, brought together individuals who use social media, video platforms, blogs, and apps to spread the Word of God.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, welcomed the attendees in a speech, followed by addresses from Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, and Rino Fisichella, Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization. The speakers praised the efforts of the Catholic influencers and encouraged them to continue their service.
Among the digital missionaries in attendance was Gregory Pine, a Dominican priest from the USA, known for his involvement in "The Thomistic Institute", "Pints with Aquinas", and "Godsplaining", three Catholic YouTube channels. Father Albert Garong SSP, known as "fatherbrews" on Instagram from the Philippines, also participated. He views his influencer role as fulfilling a divine calling to spread the Gospel.
Randall Williams, known as "Iron Inquisitor" on social media, advised new Catholic influencers to have a strong prayer life and seek God's will before starting. Williams, who has over 100,000 followers on Instagram, hopes to make new contacts and connections, including in the Vatican, at these events.
Gregory Pine, too, expressed his excitement about meeting more digital missionaries and seeing familiar faces at the event. He has many international friendships, including in the German-speaking world, due to a three-year study stay in Switzerland. The influencers gathered in Rome are open to welcoming more influencers of hope who are just beginning to use their platforms to share their faith.
It's worth noting that the Vatican News article announcing the event does not explicitly mention the names of specific Catholic influencers or their YouTube channels in connection with the Jubilee for Catholic influencers held in Rome on July 28–29, 2025. The official livestreams of the event, including Eucharistic Adoration and the festival celebrations, are hosted on Vatican News’ YouTube channel. The event celebrates the digital missionary field broadly rather than highlighting particular personalities.
For those seeking prominent Catholic influencers or digital missionaries related to this Jubilee, additional sources or the event’s official website might provide detailed participant lists or featured channels.
Social-media platforms played a significant role in connecting attendees of the Jubilee for Catholic influencers in Rome, with influencers like "Iron Inquisitor" and "fatherbrews" using Instagram and YouTube to spread the Gospel. This gathering served as an entertainment spectacle, showcasing the impact of digital missionaries in the modern world.
