Explained: Who is Natalia Garibotto, the model whose picture Pope Francis ‘liked’?

The picture that Pope Francis' Instagram account liked was captioned “I can teach you a thing or two” and was accompanied by a devil’s horn emoji.

A 27-year-old from Brazil, Garibotto is famous on social media by the Instagram handle @natagata (Source: Instagram)

Posts by bikini model and influencer Natalia Garibotto garner lakhs of likes from her 2.4 million followers. On October 5, when she put up a picture of herself in schoolgirl-style lingerie, one of those likes came from @franciscus, the official handle of Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church. The like was removed on November 14, after a report by the Catholic News Agency — and has prompted an investigation by the Vatican.

Who is Natalia Garibotto?

A 27-year-old from Brazil, Garibotto is famous on social media by the Instagram handle @natagata. where she posts risqué images of herself and promises “even better content” on her website. Her site, natagata.com, offers “sexy exclusives”, “access to BTS clips, twerk videos, and more”. The picture that the Pope liked was captioned “I can teach you a thing or two” and was accompanied by a devil’s horn emoji.

How did the Pope’s account like Garibotto’s photo?

The pope is present on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, which are managed by a team of professionals. The Pope is said to give his consent for tweets and, during a crisis or emergency situation, has said he wants to tweet. He does not occupy himself with liking social media posts. It is unlikely that the pontiff has seen the model’s picture or responded to it personally. His Instagram handle, which has 7.4 million followers, does not follow @natagata or any other. A spokesperson for the Vatican told The Guardian, “We can exclude that the ‘like’ came from the Holy See, and have turned to Instagram for explanations.” 📣 Express Explained is now on Telegram

What was the reaction of Garibotto to the pontiff’s appreciation?

As the news spread across social media, the model tweeted, “At least I’m going to heaven”. Her management and publicity firm, COY Co posted on its account that it has “received the POPE’S OFFICIAL BLESSING.”

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Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More