A man once hailed as Italy’s most handsome has decided to leave behind his career in modeling, as well as his aspirations of becoming an actor, to pursue a calling to the priesthood. Edoardo Santini, who secured the title of Italy’s most beautiful man in 2019 at the age of 17, announced his decision to transition to a life of faith via social media on December 2. In his statement, he shared his intention to renounce his previous ambitions in favor of a spiritual journey, expressing, “At 21 years of age, I find myself on the path towards becoming a priest, God willing.”
Edoardo disclosed that he has joined a seminary near Florence, marking a significant shift away from a path that initially involved studying drama and dance to achieve stardom. Despite relinquishing his roles in modeling, acting, and dance, Edoardo emphasized that he will continue to embrace his passions in a different context, dedicating them to his faith.
Reflecting on his journey, Edoardo shared personal insights into his decision, highlighting the impact of individuals he encountered who embodied the essence of being ‘church.’ He revealed that fears had previously hindered him from exploring his calling at a deeper level but took the first step the previous year. Living with two priests, he described the experience as the “best of his life” and proceeded to enter the preparatory course leading to life in the seminary.
Acknowledging the varied reactions, Edoardo mentioned encountering both support and disappointment, emphasizing that he would persist on his chosen path despite challenges. He admitted feeling terrified about abandoning his dream but expressed confidence that he won’t regret the decision. Edoardo emphasized the importance of authenticity, stating, “Now I can shout: I am Edoardo, I am 21 years old, and I am happy.”
On his Instagram, Edoardo shared a video appearing to pray in a church, captioning it with “I got back on my path” and updating his profile bio to reflect his newfound aspiration: “I’m a Christian, priest wannabe.”
