Italian authorities have launched an investigation after a restored angel painting inside a historic Rome church drew attention for bearing a strong resemblance to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The restored cherub, part of a fresco in the Chapel of the Holy Souls in Purgatory at the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Lucina, has sparked national debate and a wave of social media scrutiny.
Although the restoration was completed in December, photos recently circulated online showing a side-by-side comparison of the cherub and Meloni, fueling speculation that the restorer may have modeled the face on the prime minister.
The similarities led Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano to direct the Superintendency of Rome to begin an inquiry into the work.
Restorer denies mimicking the Prime Minister’s likeness
Officials are examining whether the restorer, Bruno Valentinetti, intentionally altered the artwork to resemble Meloni. Valentinetti has denied any such intention. He told Italian media he followed the original 2000 design and carried out the restoration as an unpaid volunteer.
Daniela Porro, head of the Special Superintendency of Rome, confirmed archival research is underway to locate documentation, photographs or sketches of the original fresco. The goal is to compare the previous version with the one completed in 2025.
Italy launches an investigation after a restored angel painting in a historic Rome church appears to resemble Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The artwork has sparked debate across politics, art, and faith.#Italy #GiorgiaMeloni #ArtRestoration #ReligiousArt #CulturalHeritage pic.twitter.com/v8Zue9eGMK
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) February 3, 2026
Speaking outside the church on Monday, Porro stated the painting is a contemporary work created in 2000 and is not recognized as a protected cultural asset.
She explained that changes are technically allowed, but any modifications should have been approved by the relevant institutions.
Church responds to angel painting resembling PM Giorgia Meloni
The Vatican has also responded. Cardinal Baldo Reina, vicar of the Diocese of Rome, emphasized that religious imagery should not be exploited. He said the change to the cherub’s face was made independently by the decorator and not shared with authorities beforehand.
The Vicariate, according to Reina, is now working with parish priest Monsignor Daniele Micheletti to evaluate possible next steps.
Micheletti acknowledged the resemblance between the cherub and Giorgia Meloni but said he does not view it as a scandal. He questioned the public reaction, noting that artists have long included contemporary faces in religious artworks, even referring to Caravaggio’s use of real-life figures. Micheletti added that he does not want the parish to be seen as politically aligned.
The controversy has drawn large crowds to the basilica, one of the oldest in Christendom. Many visitors, referring to the chapel as the “Meloni Chapel,” are stopping by to see the painting firsthand and judge whether the angel does, in fact, resemble the Italian leader.
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