How Influencers are Revitalizing Christianity’s Digital Presence

The Catholic Church is enlisting influencers — including fashion-forward women and charismatic priests — to serve as digital ambassadors for the faith.

In a groundbreaking event, the Vatican recently hosted over 1,000 content creators near St. Peter’s Basilica. Attendees enjoyed dancing, selfies, and capturing moments under vibrant neon lighting. Pope Leo’s presence sparked an enthusiastic photo session. Mackenzie Hunter, 26, from St. Paul, Minnesota, whose Instagram account “acaffeinatedcatholic” has roughly 25,000 followers, described the experience as exhilarating.

Christianity faces a significant challenge in revitalizing its image. Over the last quarter-century, millions of Americans have distanced themselves from the faith. While this decline has recently stabilized, the perception of Christianity as a fading tradition persists.

To combat this, churches are turning to social media influencers to generate excitement and engagement. This summit exemplifies a wider movement where religious organizations harness digital platforms to reach younger audiences. Influencers report that this strategy is effective and may contribute to a modest resurgence in church attendance across the United States.

Religious groups are increasingly adopting online platforms to connect with followers. Evangelical pastors are transforming their typically high-production sermons into vertical video formats suited for social media. Meanwhile, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presents a youthful and diverse image to its 1.4 million Instagram followers.

Christian influencers vary in their goals: some focus on encouraging young people to participate in church services and Bible studies, while others aim to make religion appear more relatable and approachable. Eliza Monts, 26, from Charleston, South Carolina, who shares videos about her life with her husband, emphasizes the importance of normalizing Catholicism in everyday life.