Rome Church Angel Restoration Sparks Controversy After Resemblance to PM Meloni Noted
ROME, Jan 31 – A routine church restoration in the heart of Rome has unexpectedly become a national talking point, following claims that a repainted angel now bears the features of Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. The culture ministry has launched an inquiry into the work at the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Lucina.
The controversy began when la Repubblica ran a front-page story on Saturday, showcasing side-by-side photographs of the fresco. The newspaper noted that one of two angels in a side chapel, previously described as a "generic cherub," appeared to have been altered during recent touch-ups to closely mirror the visage of the 49-year-old conservative leader, Italy's first female premier.
In response, the Ministry of Culture directed Rome's top heritage official to conduct an immediate on-site inspection. A ministry statement indicated officials would assess the situation "before deciding on any further steps." The intervention highlights the sensitive intersection of art, politics, and state-protected cultural assets in Italy.
The restoration was undertaken to repair water damage, according to parish priest Daniele Micheletti. He clarified to ANSA that the original decorations dated only to the year 2000, placing them outside the scope of formal heritage protection laws.
The artist behind both the original and the restoration, Bruno Valentinetti, firmly rejected the characterization of deliberate alteration. "I restored what was there before... 25 years ago," he told reporters, suggesting any resemblance was coincidental.
The political reaction was swift. The opposition Five Star Movement issued a statement warning against the potential instrumentalization of culture. "We cannot allow art and culture to risk becoming a tool for propaganda or anything else, regardless of whether the face depicted is that of the prime minister," a party representative said.
Prime Minister Meloni herself appeared to treat the affair with levity. On her Instagram account, she shared an image of the fresco with the caption, "No, I definitely don't look like an angel," accompanied by a laughing emoji.
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Giovanni Rossi, Art Historian (Florence): "While the artist's intent is unclear, this incident reveals how deeply public perception is shaped by contemporary figures. It's a fascinating, if unintended, case study in the psychology of viewing religious art in a modern political context."
Elena Conti, Local Councilor (Rome): "It's a harmless bit of fun, and the priest confirmed the works are modern. Romans have always blended the sacred and the secular with a sense of humor. The ministry's investigation seems like an overreaction."
Marco Ferrara, Political Commentator (Milan): "This is precisely the kind of cult-of-personality seepage we should be vigilant about. Whether intended as a joke or not, normalizing the insertion of a sitting leader's image into sacred spaces is a slippery slope. The ministry's probe is absolutely necessary."
Sophie Bennett, Tourist from London: "I saw the chapel last week and didn't notice! But it shows how art is never just static—it's always in conversation with the present. It's made my trip more memorable, for sure."