Full Breakdown
The Man Behind Rome’s “Sexy Priest” Calendar: A Decades-Long Myth Unveiled
5/18/2026, 10:51:47 PM
The Face on the Calendar
Since 2004 the cover of the *Calendario Romano*—a souvenir calendar sold to tourists in Rome—has featured the smiling visage of Giovanni Galizia, a 39-year-old flight-attendant instructor from Palermo. The image, taken when Galizia was 17, shows him in a priest’s cassock, but he has repeatedly clarified that he has never served as a Catholic priest.
Origin of the *Calendario Romano*
The calendar was created in the early 1990s by Venetian archivist and amateur photographer Piero Pazzi. Pazzi’s stated purpose was to provide visitors with practical information about Rome and the Vatican while showcasing iconic symbols of the city. The first editions combined historical notes, pharmacy locations, and photographs of men dressed as priests.
The Men Behind the Cassocks
Pazzi has acknowledged that the majority of the calendar’s subjects are not clergy. Some are professional models; others were approached on the street or photographed during religious processions in Spain. One notable figure is David Ruiz Suárez, a Spanish estate agent from Seville, who discovered his appearance on the March 2004 page only after a friend identified him in a purchased calendar.
Numbers and Reach
The *Calendario Romano* has been in continuous production for more than three decades, with annual sales reported in the thousands. Retail prices range from €6 to €25, with a typical cost of around €10 (approximately S$14.89). The calendar’s enduring popularity is driven by the combination of religious iconography and the visual appeal of its subjects.
Official Statements & Responses
Galizia has told *Repubblica* that he “was never a priest” and that the photograph “has nothing sensual about it.” He emphasizes that he received no payment for the original shoot and that his participation was limited to signing a release form. Pazzi reiterated that the calendar was intended “to give tourists information about the city and the Vatican” and confirmed that “it is true, they are not all priests,” noting that the emphasis on priests was meant to reflect Rome’s historic connection to the Vatican.
Criticism, Myths, and Legal Action
Social-media posts have circulated false claims that the calendar’s model is now an 84-year-old parish priest in Milan, that he left the Church in protest, or that he abandoned clerical vows. In one incident a website paired Galizia’s image with a story about a priest accused of blasphemy and drug dealing; Galizia recalled colleagues asking, “what are they talking about?” and reported that he threatened legal action, resulting in the page’s removal.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The persistent rumors about Galizia’s age, vocation, and alleged resignation from the clergy illustrate a gap between public perception and documented facts. No official records confirm any of the alleged priestly roles, and sales figures beyond “thousands annually” are not disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don’t see anything sexy in that photo... there’s nothing sensual about it,” — Giovanni Galizia, flight-attendant instructor
- “What I can assure you is that I was never a priest,” — Giovanni Galizia
- “I would remember if I had been,” — Giovanni Galizia
- “I did it to give tourists information about the city and the Vatican,” — Piero Pazzi, photographer
- “It is true, they are not all priests,” — Piero Pazzi
The *Calendario Romano* remains a staple of Rome’s souvenir market, its allure sustained by the blend of religious symbolism and the enduring curiosity surrounding the identities of its photographed “Venice with gondoliers, and Rome with priests.”
