Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s face has been identified as closely resembling an angel in a fresco at Rome’s San Lorenzo in Lucina church following its restoration, prompting the metropolitan Diocese and Italy’s Ministry of Culture to take action.
The discovery occurred after 83-year-old Bruno Valentinetti restored the artwork. Valentinetti, who created a fresh version of the mural in 2000 for the Jubilee Year of Christianity, explained that increased humidity caused the paint to fade over time, requiring restoration efforts. He rejected claims he deliberately depicted the Prime Minister, stating his work aimed to return the fresco to its original state.
The church mural features two angels surrounding the bust of Umberto II, Italy’s last king, with one cherub holding a scroll outlining modern-day Italy. The artwork is not classified as cultural heritage because it was created relatively recently.
Giorgia Meloni responded on social media: “No, I don’t look like an angel at all.”
