The controversial depiction of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on a recently restored statue of an angel in a Roman church has been taken down, as discussions continue about its replacement.
Rome’s Basilica of St. Lawrence of Lucina, currently undergoing renovations, has recently sparked debate following reports of a fresco that portrays Meloni as an angel.
This artwork shows one of two angels flanking the marble bust of Umberto II, the last king of Italy, located within the church.
An investigation is underway led by the Diocese of Rome and Italy’s Minister of Culture, with the Vatican requesting that this portrayal of Meloni be removed. This situation attracted many visitors to the church, curious to capture images and videos of the contentious restoration.
By the time the church reopened on Wednesday, the angel’s face had already been eliminated. Reports indicated that the image had been covered in paint as further changes are anticipated.
In a statement, the Diocese of Rome clarified that the modifications made to the angel do not align with traditional iconography and emphasized the need to restore the original features, which must be approved by the Italian authorities overseeing the cathedral.
The diocese reaffirmed its dedication to preserving the artistic heritage of the Church in collaboration with state institutions.
Bruno Valentinetti, the painter responsible for the restoration, noted, “I took action because the Vatican instructed me to. My opinion doesn’t matter, but the Holy See wanted this, so I complied.”
Monsignor Daniele Micheletti, a local priest, mentioned, “If it causes division, we’ll remove it.” He observed a significant influx of visitors who were more interested in the artwork than in attending Mass or praying, which he felt was inappropriate.
Prime Minister Meloni responded to the controversy via an Instagram post during the initial uproar, claiming, “No, I don’t look like an angel at all,” accompanied by a photo of her being scrubbed.
