Santa enganação: estrela do calendário de ‘padres sexy’ de Roma nunca pisou em um seminário – G1

A popular souvenir calendar in Rome featuring images of attractive men in clerical clothing has come under scrutiny after it was revealed that its long-time cover star has no connection to the priesthood.

Giovanni Galizia, who has appeared on the cover of the Calendario Romano in many of the last 23 editions, confirmed that he has never attended a seminary. The calendar, which has been a commercial success in Rome’s souvenir shops for two decades, typically features close-up photographs of handsome young men dressed as priests.

The Origins of the Imagery

The photograph of Galizia that has been reused year after year shows him wearing a clerical collar and posing against the granite wall of a church in his hometown of Palermo. Galizia described his expression in the photo as an enigmatic smile, which he compared to that of the Mona Lisa.

During an interview conducted on May 20, 2026, in his living room in Verona, Galizia explained that the photo session was intended as a joke. He noted that his expression was not one of clerical poise, but rather the result of his social surroundings at the time.

It was the smile of a shy boy, because I saw all my friends in front of me laughing because I was dressed as a priest.

Giovanni Galizia to the Associated Press

Galizia stated that the photo shoot was a prank that had few consequences in his life until the matter gained national attention in Italy.

Media Revelation and Institutional Response

The revelation that the men in the calendar were not actual members of the clergy followed a report published by the Roman newspaper La Repubblica. The report suggested that the publication, often referred to as the sexy priests calendar, would be more accurately described as a calendar of false priests.

Despite the calendar’s theme and its popularity in the capital, it maintains no official link to the Vatican. When approached for a statement regarding the matter, the Vatican refused to comment.

Galizia has defended the nature of the publication, asserting that the project was intended to be a work of art rather than an attempt to deceive the public. He views the photographs of men dressed as priests as part of an artistic tradition.