At the age of 21, the “most handsome man in Italy” ends his modeling career to become a priest

Her name and face are now in many media outlets, but it’s not for her fashion news. Indeed, Eduardo Santini, a 21-year-old young man, made headlines thanks to his unusual life change. Until recently, the boy from Castelfiorentino in the Tuscany region of Italy was best known for his modeling skills and aimed to become a professional actor, the Florentine newspaper said. Florence today . This swimmer and dance enthusiast has even developed certain skills that have won him some awards; In 2019, at just 17 years old, he won the “Most Beautiful Man in Italy” beauty pageant organized by the ABE fashion group or title. National dance champion in the “Boogie-Woogie” category in 2022 in Massa-Carrara, reports the Italian newspaper. Corriere Fiorentino . Talents he now wants to put aside to devote himself to a radical new life trajectory. “When I was 21 years old, my father decided to marry my mother because she got pregnant. She became a mother at the age of 21. And I find myself on the way to become a priest, God willing, at the age of 21,” he announced in a video posted on his Instagram account on November 23, 2023.

“Now I can shout, I’m happy.”

In these images, Edoardo appears sometimes praying in church, sometimes on a pilgrimage surrounded by his peers, or even at community events like the recent WYD (World Catholic Youth Day) in Lisbon. “In recent years, I had the opportunity to meet young people who, by showing me what it means to be part of the Church, gave me the strength to investigate this question that I carried with me since childhood, but different fears prevented me; from studying in depth,” he continues in this video. He then explains that in 2022 he took the “first step” that turned his existence upside down. “I went to live with two priests and it was the most beautiful experience of my life, an experience that allowed me to meet the brothers in everyday life. And this answer, which I was waiting for, came from above. At the end of the year, it was natural for me to ask the bishop to enter the preparatory year before the seminary,” he reveals.

Now the former model studies theology and serves in two parishes in the Diocese of Florence. “Am I going to do my priesthood? I don’t know, I’m here to find out,” she adds, before congratulating herself for already taking the first step. “I took this step that scared me and didn’t allow me to be fully myself. What I am sure of, however, is that I will not regret this trip, because now I can shout: I am Edoardo, I am 21 years old and I am happy.

“I’m disappointed, even in my family”

Now her work as a model, as well as her interest in theater and dance, are no longer her priority. “Yes” inevitably leads to “no”, he declares in his story before clarifying. “I will not leave everything, because my passions are part of me, but I will live them again in different contexts.

Although it seems that he has finally found his place, Eduardo Santini still shared his fears and difficulties in his decision to accept his loved ones. “I have to say that I built more walls for myself than there really were. There are those who talk behind my back, those who have no problem telling me that I am disappointed even in my family, but there are also those who support me. Believer or not,” he remarked.

“Live Deeper”

Already last June, the dark-eyed young man spoke on Instagram about the inner conflict and a certain duality he was experiencing, describing “the struggle between wanting to live a shallow life and living it deeper.” . “This struggle has calmed down. but sometimes she grunts and comes back,” she confided in the caption of an old photo of herself from the sensual shoot, where she appeared in a fishnet-style T-shirt. He also added a quote from Whitney Houston to illustrate his point. “I am the biggest devil. I can be both my best friend and my worst enemy,” we can read.

A few months ago, the “most handsome man in Italy” also shared with his more than 25,000 subscribers on the social network his questions about his relationship with his character. “A person can be the most beautiful in the world, but if they are cut off from the inside, that beauty is worth less than 0. Maybe you can use your face and body to get as many men or women as you want. But would you be happy? Are you really happy?” he already asked on September 16, 2022, sharing photos of himself in a transparent shirt. In conclusion, advocating a new outlook on appearance. “There are no imperfections because we are all reflections of God.” So be it for Edoardo.