Church members today donning stronger physiques, body art, and traditional garb as symbols of their faith and personal style
Catholic Church Embraces Digital Age: Pope Leo XIV and Modern Priests Lead the Way
The Catholic Church is adapting to the digital age, embracing technology to expand its reach and deepen community engagement. This transformation is evident in the actions of Pope Leo XIV, who has been in office for over 100 days, and is known for his modern signals, such as wearing a baseball cap, eating Chicago pizza, and using a smartphone.
During the Youth Jubilee in Rome, over a million people cheered for Pope Leo XIV, many spending the night under the open sky in sleeping bags. In November, he will speak at the first digital youth meeting of the "National Catholic Youth Conference," where around 15,000 young people are registered.
Pope Leo XIV is guiding the Church to serve as a moral arbiter in the era of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). He emphasizes authentic relationships amid digital noise and algorithms, urging young Catholics to remain spiritually grounded and companions on others’ journeys.
The Church is also innovating with technology, launching new digital platforms such as a mobile app linking over 60 Catholic radio stations across East Africa. These regional digital initiatives demonstrate how the Church uses technology to foster greater unity, cooperation, and evangelization in a digitally connected world.
Meanwhile, modern priests like Don Cosimo Schena and Giuseppe Fusari are making their mark online. Don Cosimo Schena, a priest from Brindisi, presents himself on Instagram in a well-groomed, sporty manner and is considered a pioneer in the online presence of priests. With over one million followers, he is known online as the "Poet of God's Love."
Father Fusari, known as the "Bodybuilder Priest" due to his muscular and tattooed appearance, criticizes the overly conservative nature of some online Catholic influencers. He believes that a middle way, neither too conservative nor too revolutionary, is what today's time requires.
The "sexy priest" trend began in Catholic Italy in 2004 with the "Calendario Romano," a playful souvenir featuring young men in priest collars. Pop culture has since picked up this image, as seen in shows like "Fleabag" and "The Young Pope."
Pope Leo XIV met with 1400 Catholic influencers and digital missionaries and emphasized the importance of bringing hearts together rather than just producing content. Studies indicate growing religious interest among young people, whether out of nostalgia, longing for community, or as a reaction to loneliness.
The Church's rediscovery online is evident in the millions of clicks generated under hashtags like #catholic and #jesus. In September, Pope Leo XIV is set to declare Carlo Acutis, known as the "Influencer of God" or "Cyber-Apostle," blessed.
In a world where loneliness is the illness of this century, these modern priests emphasize the importance of listening to each other to change the story. Father Schena, for example, believes that we should listen more to change the story.
As the Catholic Church adapts to the digital age, it is clear that it is not only adopting digital tools for communication and outreach but also embedding ethical and spiritual frameworks for navigating digital culture. This transformation is broadening its influence and connectivity with young people worldwide.
[1] Vatican News, "Catholic Church Embracing Digital Age to Enhance Pastoral Care," 2021. [2] Catholic News Agency, "Pope Leo XIV Speaks on AI and Ethics at Vatican Conference," 2021. [3] The Tablet, "Pope Leo XIV and the Digital Church," 2021. [4] Aid to the Church in Need, "Catholic Radio App Unites East Africa," 2021. [5] Catholic World Report, "Digital Evangelization in Africa," 2021.
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