Edoardo Santini, a 21-year-old former model from Castelfiorentino, Tuscany, Italy, has announced his decision to pursue priesthood. Known for winning the title of “Most Handsome Man in Italy” at the Il Bello D’Italia male pageant in 2019 at the age of 17, Santini revealed his life-changing decision on Instagram last Saturday, December 3, 2023.
Although the post has since been deleted, it went viral, with the British daily tabloid Daily Mail reporting part of Santini’s caption: “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.”
Santini shared that he has harbored the dream of becoming a priest since childhood. Encounters with certain individuals prompted him to question if this was the path he was meant to follow. He confessed to living with two priests last year, describing it as the “most beautiful experience” of his life.
Despite fears of giving up his modeling career, Santini ultimately chose to embrace the calling of priesthood. His Instagram post on November 23, on his 21st birthday, also hinted at his spiritual journey.
The post included a short video clip of him blowing out birthday candles, accompanied by the caption, “My question about the priesthood. I’ve felt I had to investigate it for a long time, last year I took a first step, but I had told few the real reason for my move – I needed time that was purely for me. This year, at the dawn of my 21st birthday, I feel ready to share this research.”