Church Figures Sporting Muscular Arms, Ink, and Clerical Robes - The New Image of Religion
In the heart of Rome, Pope Leo XIV, the first American on the Chair of Peter, recently welcomed over a million people at the Youth Jubilee under open skies [1]. The event marked a significant moment in the Pope's tenure, which has now surpassed the 100-day mark.
Beyond the physical realm, Leo XIV's influence is extending into the digital world. In November, he is set to speak at the first digital youth meeting of the "National Catholic Youth Conference," where around 15,000 young people are registered [2]. This digital engagement is part of a broader trend, as the Church embraces social media as a valuable tool for evangelization and outreach.
The impact of social media on the Catholic Church has become increasingly significant, particularly in engaging young people in Europe and the United States. The Vatican has actively supported "digital missionaries"—young Catholic influencers who create faith-based content to connect with audiences primarily through platforms like Instagram and TikTok [3].
One such digital missionary is Don Cosimo Schena, known online as the "Poet of God's Love." Schena, who studied computer science before switching to theology, boasts over one million followers on social media [4]. His digital presence, characterised by a well-groomed, sporty, and sometimes fashionable style, stands in stark contrast to traditional perceptions of the clergy [5].
The "sexy priest" trend, which began in Catholic Italy in 2004 with the "Calendario Romano," has also found a place in popular culture, as seen in series like "Fleabag" and "The Young Pope" [6]. However, the Church's digital revival is about more than just image. It's about reaching young people in modern, culturally relevant ways and making faith more accessible and engaged in contemporary society.
The success of digital tools like the Catholic Mass Times app, with over 2 million downloads worldwide, shows young people are seeking ways to bridge their digital lives and faith, sometimes in difficult or isolated circumstances [2]. Yet, it remains a complex challenge, as some studies and commentators argue that church disaffiliation among cradle Catholics is high [4].
Despite this, Father Schena, who criticizes the overabundance of conservatism online and advocates for a middle way, remains optimistic. He emphasizes that the illness of this century is truly loneliness and that we should listen to each other more to change the story [7]. As Pope Leo XIV prepares to declare Carlo Acutis, known as the "Influencer of God" or "Cyber-Apostle," blessed in September, the future of the Church's digital presence looks promising.
References:
- BBC News
- America Magazine
- Catholic News Agency
- The Tablet
- The New York Times
- The Guardian
- Catholic World Report
Social-media platforms are being utilized by the Church, particularly by digital missionaries like Don Cosimo Schena, as a means of reaching young people and making faith more accessible and engaging within contemporary society. In November, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to speak at the digital youth meeting of the "National Catholic Youth Conference," where around 15,000 young people are registered, further demonstrating the Church's embrace of social media as a tool for evangelization and outreach.
