Full Breakdown
The “Sexy Priest” Calendar: A Tourist Souvenir Under Scrutiny
5/21/2026, 4:24:30 AM
Origins and Production
The “Calendario Romano” was created by Venetian archivist-photographer Piero Pazzi in the early 1990s as a tourist guide that paired practical information about Rome and the Vatican with atmospheric portraits of symbolic figures. The calendar’s pages feature twelve black-and-white images of men in clerical attire, accompanied by a page of Vatican facts, but the publication is independent of the Holy See, which has declined to comment.
Key Figures: Giovanni Galizia and Piero Pazzi
Giovanni Galizia, a 39-year-old flight-attendant from Palermo, first posed for the calendar at age 17 after a friend introduced him to Pazzi. He has appeared on the cover of the calendar for most of its 23 editions since 2004. Pazzi, who also produces a gondolier calendar, acknowledges that at least one-third of the models in the 2027 edition are actual priests, but provides no precise breakdown.
Scale, Pricing, and Distribution
Retail price points range from €6 to €25, with most shops near the Vatican selling the calendar for around €8 (? $9.30). Shop clerk Hassam Mohammad reports selling “a handful” of copies each day. Pazzi estimates annual sales in the “several thousand” range, though exact figures are undisclosed. The calendar has been in continuous production for more than three decades and remains a staple souvenir for tourists.
Official Responses and Vatican Position
The Vatican issued no comment, emphasizing that the calendar is not an official publication. Pazzi stated that the inclusion of Vatican information is intended solely as tourist guidance. Galizia confirmed he signed a release for the original photograph, never received payment, and has never sought compensation. He also noted that he has never been stopped on the street because of the calendar.
Cultural Debate and Criticism
Critics argue that the calendar’s presentation of non-clerical models as priests may mislead visitors and trivialize clerical imagery. Observers highlight the tension between sacred symbolism and commercial appeal, describing the product as “winking at the dynamic between the sacred and the profane.” Some commentators question whether the recurring use of the same image exploits a “beauty-as-sensuality” narrative in a highly sexualized media environment.
On-the-Ground Observations
Hassam Mohammad, a vendor near the Vatican, confirms daily sales of a few copies. Father Domenico, a South Korean priest, reported that the calendar is popular among young people in Korea, who view it as a humorous, approachable depiction of clergy. Galizia recounted that relatives once gifted the calendar to a grandmother, “and they all died laughing.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the proportion of genuine priests: Pazzi cites “at least one-third,” while no independent verification is provided. Sales numbers are described only as “several thousand” annually, without precise data. Reported price ranges vary between €6–€25 and a fixed €8, indicating possible regional pricing differences. The exact number of editions—23 versus “more than 30 years” of production—remains ambiguous.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was the smile of an embarrassed kid, because I saw all my friends in front of me laughing out loud because I was dressed like I was a priest.” — Giovanni Galizia, AP interview
- “Of course, it winks a bit at the dynamic between the sacred and the profane, because it is clear that seeing a world that is distant and in some ways so lofty as the ecclesiastical world, with such a fresh-faced young man, creates a kind of dissonance.” — Giovanni Galizia
- “There’s a tendency to confuse what is beautiful with what is sensual, because nowadays, especially in today’s world, which is quite sexualized, beauty is expressed only through sensuality,” — Giovanni Galizia
- “That said, I appreciate the observation and take it as a compliment — because managing to be sexy in a priest’s collar is no small feat.” — Giovanni Galizia
- “But looking at this calendar, they think priests are more familiar, and priests can be funny. I think in Korea this calendar is very famous, and it is OK.” — Father Domenico, South Korean priest
- “It is true, they are not all priests,” — Piero Pazzi
What’s Next
The recent La Repubblica expose may prompt consumer-protection inquiries or renewed public debate about the calendar’s labeling. No official regulatory action has been announced, and sales are expected to continue during the 2027 release cycle.
