Giovanni Galizia, the man whose image graced the cover of Rome's infamous 'sexy priest' calendar, has admitted that he was never actually a priest. The revelation has sparked a heated debate about authenticity and sacrilege in the Eternal City.
The Calendar That Shocked Rome
The calendar, which features seminarians and priests posing in various states of undress, has been a controversial staple in Rome's souvenir shops for years. Galizia, who appeared on the cover dressed in a priest's collar and little else, was widely believed to be a man of the cloth. However, in a recent interview, he confessed that he is not and has never been a priest.
Galizia's Admission
“I was never a priest,” Galizia stated, clarifying that he was a model hired for the shoot. He explained that the producers of the calendar were looking for a certain look and he fit the bill. “They wanted someone who looked like a priest but had a certain... appeal. I was just a model doing a job.”
The admission has caused a stir among the Catholic community in Rome, with some expressing outrage that a non-priest was used to promote the calendar. Others have defended Galizia, arguing that the calendar is a harmless fundraiser for a local church.
Mixed Reactions
Local priest Father Matteo Rossi criticized the calendar, saying, “It is a mockery of our faith. Using a model to impersonate a priest is disrespectful and misleading.” However, some tourists found the calendar amusing. “It's just a bit of fun,” said American tourist Sarah Johnson. “People take things too seriously.”
Galizia has since apologized for any confusion, but maintains that he did nothing wrong. “I was just a model. If people assumed I was a priest, that's on them,” he said.
