Italy Meloni's face on angel in Roman church removed
After days of fuss, the face of Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been painted over on a painting of an angel in one of Rome's oldest churches.
04.02.2026, 14:15
04.02.2026, 14:28
SDA
Bruno Valentinetti, who is said to be responsible for the angel's face in the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, told the Italian newspaper "La Repubblica" that he himself had covered the face with paint on the instructions of the Vatican. The rest of the angel remained unchanged.
The fresco in a side chapel of the church, which had previously received little attention, has become a magnet for visitors since the affair came to light. The angel has been the subject of heated debate in Italy since the weekend. Since its restoration, it has borne the facial features of the right-wing head of government and holds a scroll with the outline of Italy in its hand.
Pastor Daniele Micheletti confirmed the removal of the face. "I have always said that we would do it if it was divisive. Besides, there were crowds of people who came to see it, not to attend mass or pray.it just wasn't possible," the Italian news agency Ansa quoted him as saying. The diocese had previously stated that a decision would be made "at the highest level". All churches in Rome are under the authority of Pope Leo XIV.
The case not only concerned the Pope, who is also the Bishop of Rome, but also the Italian monument authority. They were asked to clarify whether the unauthorized alteration by an amateur restorer had been approved. They also wanted to find out what the angel's face had looked like before the restoration.
Restoring the original painting
For days, restorer Valentinetti denied that the face was identical to that of Meloni. He now told "La Repubblica": "Well, it was Meloni, but based on the painting that was there before." According to the daily newspaper, the original painting is now to be restored.
