Priest influencer: Paul would use TikTok today

For the Italian priest and influencer Alberto Ravagnani, one thing is clear: the Apostle Paul would definitely use TikTok to talk about God today. He said this on Sunday to the Italian newspaper "Il Messaggero". Ravagnani is also convinced that St Paul would probably have founded his own platform to connect Christians from different backgrounds and age groups.

Over 250,000 people follow the priest from the diocese of Milan on social networks. It is not easy to familiarise young people with questions of faith, but ultimately it is "more or less the same as in the medical or scientific field". It is important to be brief: "The goal remains good communication," says Ravagnani.

Catechism lessons outdated

When asked about basic religious knowledge, he says: "It depends on the type of education they have received. In general, however, little remains of the basic catechesis." In his opinion, traditional catechism lessons no longer work - partly because people have changed. "Faith is not something you have to understand, but something you have to live," says Ravagnani. And: "First you have an experience, and only then do you understand it on a rational level. But the old idea of the catechism is based on a rationalistic approach - and that doesn't help in our time."

A special two-day event for Catholic social media players is currently taking place in the Vatican - as a prelude to the big youth meeting in the Holy Year. The Vatican is expecting at least half a million participants from 146 countries over the next few days. The influencer event was deliberately scheduled at the beginning of the festive week. Ravagnani is also taking part together with a youth group from his parish. (mtr)