Italy’s ‘Most Handsome Man,’ Edoardo Santini, Quits Modeling To Become A Priest

The man once voted “Italy’s most handsome man” quit his modeling job to become a priest. 

In 2019, Edoardo Santini won the award at 17 years old in a pageant hosted by the fashion group ABE. 

On December 4, Santini shared his plans on Instagram after spending years studying dance and drama. 

“At 21 years of age I find myself on the path towards becoming a priest, God willing,” he wrote. “I’ve decided to give up modeling work, acting and dance, but I won’t abandon all my passions, I’ll just live them differently, offering them up to God.”

He also shared with his followers, “At 21 years old my father took the decision to marry my mother because she was pregnant and my mum, at 21, became a mother. Me, at 21 years old, I find myself taking the path to become, God willing, a priest. In these past years, I’ve been able to meet people who have shown me what it means to be ‘church.’” 

Santini continued to explain his journey.

“They have given me the strength to investigate this question that I’ve taken with me from childhood but various fears stopped me from studying it at a deeper level. Last year, I took the first step,” he said. “At the end of the year, it was natural for me to ask the bishop to enter the preparatory course, the year that precedes life in the seminary. And here I am, studying theology and serving two parishes in the Florentine diocese.”

He added, “Of course, I won’t abandon everything. Because they make me who I am but I will live them in a different context.”

Santini has been receiving some backlash, but he will not let this deter him.

“Of course, I have people that speak behind my back. There are those who have no problem telling me that I’m a disappointment, even in my family. But there are also those who support me, believers and non-believers.”

Since this post, Santini has embarked on a spiritual trip to Lisbon with a group of people his age. He posted several videos showing details of his journey and experiences there. 

In addition to this, he has updated his Instagram bio to “I’m a Christian, priest wannabe.”