Exposé: Popular 'Handsome Priest' Calendar from Rome Revealed—But Many Models Aren't Actually Clergy
A popular "Handsome Priest" calendar sold as a bestseller near Vatican City has sparked controversy after it was revealed many of the men pictured are not actual clergy. The black-and-white photo collection, which features recycled images o
A bombshell scandal has erupted over the wildly popular "Handsome Priest" calendar that has captivated tourists in Rome for over 20 years—but many of the men pictured are not actual priests. The black-and-white photo calendar of attractive young men dressed as clergy has become a bestselling souvenir sold in shops around Vatican City and the Old Town. However, behind this popularity lies a growing controversy: many of the men in the images may not be genuine priests. Giovanni Galizia is one of the most discussed figures, having appeared on the cover of multiple editions of the "Handsome Priest" calendar for over 23 years, with the same image recycled repeatedly. Dressed in clerical collars and smiling mysteriously against a church backdrop in Palermo, Galizia revealed that he was only 17 when the photo was taken and saw it as a fun teenage activity—the day was filled with laughter from friends amused by his priest costume, despite having no religious connection whatsoever. After reports from local Rome media outlets, the calendar drew increased scrutiny and was dubbed a potential "fake priest calendar." Despite this, the creators insist the work is purely artistic with no intent to deceive and no direct connection to the Vatican. The officially named "Calendario Romano" uses 12 black-and-white images annually, mostly young men styled as priests, with some images reused across multiple years. The photographer reports selling thousands of copies yearly. Galizia, who now works as a flight attendant, confirmed he has never received compensation for the photos and has never been recognized on the street, though his family once gifted him a copy, which resulted in household hilarity. The calendar creators noted that at least one-third of the men in the 2027 edition are actual priests, though they provided no further details. Shop owners in Rome's tourist areas report the calendar continues to sell several copies daily. A South Korean priest who spotted the calendar near Vatican City commented that it is well-known among younger generations and viewed humorously, helping make the image of priests seem more approachable, despite being merely a controversial art project.
