31.01.2026 20:24
Claims that the facial expression of an angel figure in a restored fresco at the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina in Rome, the capital of Italy, resembles Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have sparked debates in the country. Meloni ironically shared this situation on her social media account.
The historical "San Lorenzo in Lucina Basilica" in Rome, the capital of Italy, has become a topic of discussion in the country due to the facial expression of one of the angel figures in a fresco undergoing restoration resembling Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
THE RESTORED FRESCO IS SAID TO RESEMBLE MELONI According to a report by La Repubblica, it was claimed that the face in one of the frescoes undergoing restoration in the basilica, which dates back to the 4th century and is located in the center of the capital, resembles Prime Minister Meloni, "one of the strongest women in the country who is seen in the news every day."
The similarity of one of the angels in the fresco to Meloni, shared on social media platforms, attracted great public interest and sparked debates.
"THERE IS DEFINITELY A SIMILARITY" Bishop Daniele Micheletti, responsible for the basilica, told the ANSA news agency, "I read the news in the newspaper this morning and went to see the restoration. There is definitely a certain similarity, but you should ask the person who did the restoration why they did it this way. I don't know the reason. I wanted it to be restored exactly as it was. There was an angel there, but I don't know if the facial features were like that."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "IT IS CLEAR THAT THE ARTIST INTERVENED" In a statement made to ANSA from the Diocese of Rome, it was noted that the angelic fresco resembling Meloni was met with "astonishment," stating, "It is clear that the artist intervened. We were completely unaware of this issue and the restorer's intention and were not informed. We are now investigating what happened."
"I DEFINITELY DO NOT RESEMBLE AN ANGEL" The main opposition party, the Democratic Party (PD), reacted to the fresco with the angel resembling Meloni from the 5 Star Movement and the Green and Left Alliance (AVS) parties. All three parties requested Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli to initiate an investigation into the restoration in question and clarify the matter.
Prime Minister Meloni, regarding the angel figure in the fresco in the church resembling her, shared a photo of the fresco on her social media account, ironically stating, "No, I definitely do not resemble an angel."
The name at the center of the debates, restoration manager Bruno Valentinetti, rejected the claims that the face in the angel resembled Meloni, stating, "Who says this face is Prime Minister Meloni's? The church priest did not say that; he said it resembled her. For this face, I restored it the same way as it was 25 years ago. I had to use the same designs and colors as 25 years ago. It should not have been changed. As for the debate, I say that all of this is fabricated."