Angel with Meloni's face in Rome basilica sparks controversy, but frescoes are 1985 additions

A fresco in the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina in Rome has been altered to depict Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as an angel, igniting political debate. The angel, located in a side chapel, was repainted by Bruno Valentinetti, an 83-year-old sacristan and volunteer decorator. Valentinetti denies the resemblance, claiming he copied the original face, but the likeness is notable. The chapel was inaugurated in April 1985 and features a wooden crucifix, a bust of Umberto II of Savoy by Kiril Todorov, and inscriptions referencing the king's exile. The frescoes have been repeatedly modified due to humidity, with interventions in 1996, 2002, 2007, and now 2025. The opposition Democratic Party's Irene Manzi called for Soprintendenza intervention, citing cultural heritage protection. However, the chapel is not considered historical patrimony, as it dates only to 1985. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli sent superintendent Daniela Porro to inspect. Meloni herself commented on social media: "no, I definitely don't resemble an angel." The article criticizes the church's reliance on amateur artisans rather than commissioning contemporary artists.