In a pageant organized by ABE by fashion group, Edoardo Santini, 21, was voted Italy's most handsome man in 2019; at this time, he was 17.
However, numerous people were shocked after Edoardo claimed on social media that he would quit his modeling job to join the priesthood.
In explaining this to his social media audience, he recounted his life journey. His father made the decision to marry his mother at the age of 21, and she became a mother when she was also 21
And now, when Edoardo was 21 years old, he wanted to himself take the path to become a God-willing priest.
Over the past years, encounters with individuals embodying the true essence of 'church' have empowered him.
In the video, he said, 'They have given me the strength to investigate this question that I've taken with me from childhood, but various fears have stopped me from studying it at a deeper level. Last year, I took the first step.'
Edoardo recounted a transformative experience of residing with two priests, which he described as the "best experience of his life." At the year's end, he approached the bishop to enter the preparatory course. Currently, he is studying theology and serving two parishes in the Florentine diocese.
Transitioning from his previous roles as a model and dancer, Edoardo acknowledged a newfound world where he encountered "marvelous people with pure hearts." He affirmed that, while he wouldn't entirely abandon his past pursuits, he would experience them in a different context.
Despite facing criticism and disapproval, Edoardo expressed his commitment to this new journey. He explained: '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.'
Though the decision to quit his dream and pursue the priesthood initially terrified him, Edoardo is confident that he won't regret it. In a video posted on his Instagram page, he was seen apparently praying in a church, captioned "I got back on my path." His profile bio now proudly states, 'I'm a Christian, priest wannabe.'
Edoardo, previously honored with a title from the national beauty contest Il Bello d'Italia in Avellino in 2019, expressed immense emotion at the time. Despite dreaming of becoming an actor, he acknowledged the constraints of time in pursuing all his desired activities.
