A restored church fresco in central Rome has stirred public debate after viewers noticed that an angel’s face closely resembled Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The artwork, located inside the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, quickly attracted attention both online and offline.
Photos of the cherub spread rapidly, prompting criticism from church authorities and government officials. Many visitors visited the church only to see the controversial fresco rather than to pray.
Artist Admits Using Prime Minister’s Likeness
The artist behind the fresco, Bruno Valentinetti, initially rejected claims that he painted Meloni’s face. However, on Wednesday, the 83 year old artist confirmed that the angel was inspired by the prime minister.
Valentinetti told Italian newspaper la Repubblica that he believed the face matched the original artwork. He also said Vatican officials instructed him to remove the image after the controversy erupted.
Soon after, the artist scrubbed out the angel’s facial features in a rough manner. This action caused further criticism from religious leaders.
Vatican Orders Restoration of Original Features
The Diocese of Rome announced that experts will now restore the original face of the cherub. Cardinal Baldassare Reina issued a firm statement expressing disappointment over the incident.
He said sacred art should never serve political or personal purposes. According to Reina, religious imagery must respect Christian tradition and the spiritual setting of churches.
Basilica Draws Crowds for the Wrong Reasons
The Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina sits just minutes away from the prime minister’s office. Since news of the fresco spread, the church has seen a sharp rise in visitors.
Father Daniele Michelett, the basilica’s priest, said people arrived mainly to take photos and selfies. He noted that many visitors ignored the religious purpose of the site.
Michelett admitted he did not notice the resemblance at first. However, he later agreed that the artwork did not suit the church’s sacred environment.
Meloni Responds With Humor
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacted to the situation on Instagram. She joked that she was “definitely not like an angel” and added a laughing emoji to her post.
Her response softened public reactions but did not stop the Vatican from taking corrective steps.
Fresco Not Protected as Historic Art
Although the basilica is one of Rome’s oldest churches, the controversial fresco was painted in 2000. Because of this, it does not fall under heritage protection laws.
The painting appears in a chapel dedicated to Italy’s last king, Umberto II. It shows a cherub holding a map of Italy.
Valentinetti originally created the fresco and later returned to restore it after water damage.
New Rules for Future Restoration Work
Italy’s cultural heritage authority has now stepped in. Officials informed the church that all future restoration work will require official approval.
Artists must also submit sketches before making changes to church artwork. This rule aims to prevent similar controversies in the future.
