New Delhi: A fresco depicting a winged angel with a face resembling Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been removed from a historic church in central Rome after triggering controversy and drawing criticism from church authorities.
The altered image, located in a chapel of the Basilica of St Lawrence in Lucina, was taken down overnight, leaving the cherub without its head. The move followed mounting concern within the Vatican and the Diocese of Rome over the restored artwork, which had attracted public attention for reasons unrelated to worship.
The likeness emerged after restoration work carried out by amateur artist Bruno Valentinetti. The resemblance was first highlighted by Italian daily La Repubblica, sparking a wave of visitors who reportedly came to see the image rather than attend religious services, the Guardian reported.
Valentinetti later told Italian media that he was asked by Vatican authorities to remove the image. Church officials said the situation had become divisive and distracting. Monsignor Daniele Micheletti, the parish priest of the Lucina church, said the fresco had led to a steady stream of curious onlookers, making normal religious activities difficult.
The Diocese of Rome subsequently opened an inquiry into the restoration. Cardinal Baldo Reina, vicar general of the diocese, expressed discomfort over the episode, stating that sacred art should not be misused or exploited. The diocese’s communications head, Father Giulio Albanese, said the restored face did not reflect the original artwork and stressed that restorations must strictly respect the initial form.
The chapel where the fresco was located is dedicated to Umberto II, Italy’s last king, adding to the sensitivity surrounding the incident. Meloni herself reacted lightly to the episode, joking on social media and asking whether she really resembled a cherub.
With the image now removed, church authorities say the matter is closed, restoring focus on worship and the basilica’s religious purpose.
