Don’t Call Them Influencers: Digital Missionaries Earn the Vatican’s Blessing
Angie Bosio, a devoted Catholic youth minister, has long dedicated herself to inspiring others through her art and faith. When her followers began showing interest in her hobby illustrations of Catholic saints and everyday Bible scenes, she expanded her efforts by launching a website and establishing a presence on social media. To her surprise, the Vatican recently invited her to a gathering of Catholic digital voices in Rome—even though her online following was modest.
At the event, Bosio explained, “The Church is reaching out to include everyone. Social media is not an optional space; it is where people live, and it’s our duty to infuse our Catholic culture into that arena.” Her experience exemplifies how the Catholic Church, like many other faith communities, has recognized social media’s role in spreading their message.
While evangelical leaders have shared sermons on YouTube, Buddhist figures like the Dalai Lama have championed digital outreach, and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have posted inspirational messages and personal testimonies on platforms like Instagram, the Vatican’s approach stands apart. The institution is embracing unofficial voices, encouraging what some now call “digital missionaries” to lead the Church into the future.
Experts note that the Church’s established hierarchy is uniquely positioned to give its stamp of approval to these content creators. Professors and outreach directors have pointed out that in an age marked by declining institutional trust and the rise of social media, laypeople with authentic voices are increasingly influential in spreading the faith.
During an exclusive Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, more than a thousand Catholic influencers from around the world were addressed by the newly elected pope. Participants described the experience as affirming and felt encouraged to continue their digital mission. Over the course of a two-day event—part of a larger series of assemblies during the Holy Year of the Church—the Vatican showed that it values not only the content produced but also the creators behind it. Leaders of the movement believe that digital outreach is not about merely generating content; it is about creating genuine encounters between people and the gospel.
The Vatican Is Very Aware
Approximately one in five Americans identifies as Catholic, numbering around 53 million people—a figure that has remained largely stable over the past decade. However, recent shifts have been noted in certain demographics, such as a decline among Latino Catholics in recent years. Although there are no definitive statistics about the impact of Catholic content creators, many observers feel that U.S. Catholicism is tapping into new energy, especially following the election of a North American pope to lead a global community of more than a billion faithful.
Reports from various dioceses across the United States suggest an uptick in conversions and renewed church membership. Influential voices on social media, including authors and podcasters, echo the sentiment that the Church now recognizes the importance of digital communication. Many Catholics find inspiration, spiritual growth, and reassurance through these online channels during times of personal challenge and community change.
Digital Missionaries, Not Influencers
Leaders within the Church acknowledge that while embracing digital creators aligns with modern communication trends, there are inherent risks in social media spaces. This awareness has led to a preference for the term “digital missionaries” over “influencers.” The latter term often conjures images of celebrity-driven, product-focused promotion, while digital missionaries see their role as reaching out to the lonely and hurting, offering genuine healing and hope through their messages.
Many community voices stress that the mission should never reduce faith to a commodity. Rather than succumbing to the lure of likes and viral trends, these content creators aim to share a truthful and compassionate message. The balance between humility and ambition is crucial: digital missionaries continually assess their motives, ensuring that their outreach remains sincere and rooted in the teachings of Jesus.
Profiles in Digital Missionary Work
Laura Kelly Fanucci
Laura Kelly Fanucci uses her personal Instagram account to explore themes of grief, suffering, and the persistent struggle to maintain hope and faith under difficult circumstances. Having endured the profound loss of her twin daughters and her own battle with cancer, Fanucci has turned her experiences into a source of comfort and dialogue for her community. Her willingness to discuss life’s hardships has resonated with her followers, sparking thoughtful conversations around faith and endurance.
She sees the Vatican’s embrace of digital platforms as a positive step, one that opens up new opportunities for spreading ancient truths in modern ways. By stepping into this online space, Fanucci and others like her are fostering a community where honest conversation about life’s trials can lead to deeper spiritual insight.
Nico Chavando
Nico Chavando began his journey on social media several years ago while working as a teacher preparing young Catholics for confirmation. Disturbed by the casual attitudes toward regular Mass attendance, he sought to reignite a sense of active, lived faith among believers. Now a life coach dedicated to Catholicism, Chavando uses his short, reflective posts to remind followers that faith is not merely a ritual but a way of living in the present.
His concise messages—often featuring a single brief prayer or a line of scripture—are crafted with care to be both engaging and spiritually meaningful. He is mindful of the risk of encouraging screen addiction and ensures that his online presence remains a means to an end: reaching people who need encouragement on their spiritual journey.
Tanner Kalina
Tanner Kalina, an evangelist, actor, and author from Northern Colorado, integrates his creative talents into his role as a digital missionary. With an online community that values his honest reflections and artistic insights into faith, Kalina strongly supports the Vatican’s strategic shift in terminology from “influencer” to “digital missionary.” He believes that this change reinforces the idea of serving a higher purpose rather than simply chasing personal popularity.
Kalina stresses that genuine influence is not measured by the number of likes or comments but by the authenticity of small acts performed with great love—a principle that mirrors the teachings of St. Paul. His work serves as a reminder that the true power of digital outreach lies in quietly transforming lives through heartfelt, meaningful engagement.
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