The image Pope Francis is holding is an illustration by Argentinian artist Santiago Lopez, known as Samlo. He discovered a need among young people for social media content that helps them better understand their faith. His most viral posts are scenes of faith, including the face of Jesus and the pain of Christ's Passion.
His journey started with this illustration. It reached more than one million people on Instagram and garnered more than 140,000 likes.
SANTIAGO LÓPEZ
Illustrator and Creative Director, 'Samlo'
I realized in social networks that the questions I asked myself or answers I needed, were also sought by the people who followed me. The theme is better understanding what the Lord wants to tell us. To understand the world better. Because I'm not just talking about faith, I'm talking about mental health. A lot about mental and emotional health.
Santiago found the meaning of his talent and his professional career during a spiritual retreat. But he understood that professional success is not his ultimate goal.
SANTIAGO LOPEZ
Illustrator and Creative Director, 'Samlo'
Goal number 1: I want to go to heaven. Goal number 2: I want to have the biggest production company in the world so I can go to heaven and through my content I can take others too. And that's when I began to understand St. Josemaría's phrase that said 'be a carpet on which others walk softly.' To know that from one's own shoes one can also help inspire and elevate others.
He decided to use his talent to serve others. It occurred to him during the pandemic, when the parents of some children asked him to teach drawing classes by video call. Soon 28,000 families from 17 countries joined the project.
When the war began in Ukraine, he went a step further and traveled to the Polish border to give drawing classes to refugee children.
SANTIAGO LÓPEZ
Illustrator and Creative Director, 'Samlo'
Russia bombs Ukraine during the night and the war starts. This was on a Tuesday, the attack, and on Thursday of that week I wake up and see a reel of a 4 year old boy sneaking across the border alone. It shocked me and I said “I'm going.”
Artist Santiago Lopez will now travel to Africa to continue his mission of sharing both art and faith with the world.
PA
TR: AT
