La Repubblica published before-and-after photos suggesting an angel in a Roman chapel was retouched to resemble Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Italy's culture ministry ordered an immediate inspection while the Five Star Movement warned against turning art into propaganda. The artist and parish priest say the work was a post-damage restoration of paintings from 2000, and Meloni herself dismissed the resemblance on social media.
Rome Chapel Angel Retouched To Resemble PM Giorgia Meloni — Culture Ministry Launches Probe
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends her end-of-year press conference in Rome, Italy, January 9, 2026. REUTERS/Vincenzo Livieri
ROME, Jan 31 (Reuters) - An angel painted in a chapel of the Basilica of St Lawrence in Lucina in central Rome has been retouched to resemble Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a national newspaper reported on Saturday, prompting an immediate inspection by the culture ministry and a bemused response from Meloni.
La Repubblica ran before-and-after images on its front page showing that one of two angels in the chapel had been altered from a "generic cherub" into a figure with features resembling the 49-year-old conservative leader, Italy's first female prime minister.
The culture ministry said it had instructed Rome's top art heritage official to inspect the restoration the same day "before deciding what to do next." The inquiry will determine whether the work falls within any conservation rules and whether further action is warranted.
Political Reaction
The opposition Five Star Movement warned against politicising cultural heritage:
"We cannot allow art and culture to risk becoming a tool for propaganda or anything else, regardless of whether the face depicted is that of the prime minister."
Parish priest Daniele Micheletti told ANSA that the chapel's decorations had been touched up after water damage and noted the original paintings date to 2000, meaning they are not protected under Italy's heritage laws.
The restoration work was carried out by Bruno Valentinetti, the artist who painted the original angel. Valentinetti denied intentionally changing the face, saying:
“I restored what was there before... 25 years ago.”
Meloni posted the disputed image on Instagram with the caption: "No, I definitely don't look like an angel" and a laughing emoji, treating the episode lightly.
The episode highlights tensions that can arise when religious art, local restoration decisions and high-profile political figures intersect. (Reporting by Alvise Armellini)
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