Angel Resembling Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Erased from Historic Rome Church Fresco
A winged angel bearing an uncanny likeness to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been removed from a fresco in a historic Rome church, concluding a controversy that drew scrutiny from both the Vatican and Italian authorities. The image, located in a chapel of the Basilica of St Lawrence in Lucina in central Rome, was erased overnight, leaving the cherub headless and sparking widespread debate over the intersection of art, politics, and religion.
Restoration Artist Confesses to Deliberate Likeness
The fresco, originally completed in 2000 and not protected by heritage regulations, had undergone restoration by amateur artist Bruno Valentinetti. Initially, Valentinetti denied any intentional resemblance to Meloni, but later confessed to La Repubblica newspaper, stating, "Yes, it's the prime minister's face. But it's similar to the previous painting." He revealed that the Vatican had requested the removal of the image, though a Vatican spokesperson did not immediately comment on the matter.
Investigations and Reactions from Church and State
The likeness prompted formal investigations by Italy's culture ministry and the diocese of Rome. Cardinal Baldo Reina, the diocese's vicar general, expressed "bitterness" over the incident, emphasising that "images of sacred art and Christian tradition cannot be misused or exploited." Daniele Micheletti, the basilica's parish priest, noted he had observed "a certain resemblance" to Meloni but insisted he had instructed Valentinetti to restore the painting exactly as it was, following water damage.
Public Curiosity and Political Fallout
Since the story emerged, the church has attracted a surge of visitors eager to see the controversial fresco for themselves. Micheletti reported that "there was a procession of people that came to see it instead of listening to mass or praying. It wasn't acceptable." Opposition politicians, including members of the Five Star Movement, criticised the situation, arguing that art and culture should not become "a tool for propaganda or anything else, regardless of whether the face depicted is that of the prime minister."
Meloni's Light-Hearted Response
In response to the debacle, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took a humorous approach, posting a picture of the painting on her Instagram account with the caption: "No, I definitely don't look like an angel," accompanied by a laughing emoji. This light-hearted reaction contrasted with the serious investigations and the eventual erasure of the fresco, highlighting the complex dynamics between personal image, public art, and institutional oversight in Italy.
