The Chapel of the Souls in Purgatory, located within the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Lucina in central Rome, reopened on 4/2 with the angel's face on a newly restored fresco painted over or plastered. This swift alteration came after church officials ordered the removal of the face, which had sparked widespread debate due to its striking resemblance to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
According to La Repubblica, church authorities instructed Bruno Valentinetti, the restorer, to cover the angel's face overnight.
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The angel's face in the Chapel of the Souls in Purgatory, part of the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Lucina, central Rome, was removed on 4/2. Photo: AFP |
The angel's face in the Chapel of the Souls in Purgatory, part of the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Lucina, central Rome, was removed on 4/2. Photo: AFP
The restoration work itself was completed in 12/2025. However, recent social media comparisons highlighting the angel's likeness to Prime Minister Meloni ignited the controversy. This drew hundreds of visitors to the chapel, eager to judge the resemblance for themselves, fueling lively online discussions among both supporters and critics of the populist leader.
The resemblance prompted formal investigations. Italy's Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, directed an inquiry into whether restorer Bruno Valentinetti intentionally added Meloni's likeness to the fresco. The Diocese of Rome also launched its own investigation. Valentinetti initially denied altering the painting, claiming he copied the original 2000 drawing. He later admitted to restoring the fresco with Meloni's face, though he did not specify his reasons.
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the angel's face in a fresco at a chapel in Rome. Photo: AFP |
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the angel's face in a fresco at a chapel in Rome. Photo: AFP
Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the Pope's vicar for Rome, emphasized that politicians have no place in church art, despite the original 2000 fresco being a contemporary work and not damaging historical heritage. In response to the incident, the Italian Ministry of Culture issued new regulations on 4/2. These rules now require churches to obtain permission from the government, the Diocese of Rome, and a special supervisory body under the Ministry of Culture before repainting an angel's face. Applications must include a "visual sketch."
Prime Minister Meloni reacted to the situation with humor. "No, I certainly don't look like an angel", she posted on Instagram, accompanied by a laughing-crying emoji.
Huyen Le (According to AP, La Repubblica)
