Giorgia Meloni Angel Fresco: Why Was the Italian PM's Face Scrubbed Off a Church Painting? (2026)

The controversial face of an angel, eerily resembling Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has been erased from a centuries-old fresco in one of Rome's oldest churches. The artist, Bruno Valentinetti, was tasked with restoring the painting, but instead, he covered up the angel's face, leaving the cherub without its features. This decision sparked a heated debate, with the Vatican and the Italian Culture Ministry both investigating the matter. The original artwork, dating back to 2000, was created during a chapel renovation, and the angel's resemblance to the Prime Minister was not intentional, according to the artist. However, the controversy has led to a re-evaluation of restoration protocols, with strict new rules requiring prior authorization for any future changes to the basilica's sacred art.

Giorgia Meloni Angel Fresco: Why Was the Italian PM's Face Scrubbed Off a Church Painting? (2026)

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