Rome, Italy. An angel restored with a face resembling Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been scrubbed off a wall painting in a central Rome church on the orders of the parish priest after a political and clerical uproar.
Restoration draws attention and criticism
One of two angels in a chapel of the Basilica of St Lawrence in Lucina, close to government headquarters, had been altered to look virtually identical to the 49-year-old right-wing leader, Italy’s first woman premier. The image was spotted on Saturday by centre-left newspaper la Repubblica and prompted outrage among opposition figures and irritation from cardinal Baldo Reina, vicar General for the diocese of Rome.
Priest orders image removed
When the church opened on Wednesday, the Meloni-like face had been painted over, leaving the angel headless. Parish priest Daniele Micheletti told Italian news agency Ansa that he had said the image would be removed if it proved divisive, adding that people were coming to see it instead of listening to Mass or praying.
Vatican and diocese responses
Amateur artist Bruno Valentinetti, who restored the painting, was quoted by Repubblica on Wednesday as saying he had been asked to erase it by the Vatican. A spokesperson for the Holy See declined to comment, and the Rome diocese said it would release a statement later.
Investigations announced
On Saturday, cardinal Reina expressed “bitterness” over the incident, ordered an investigation and said images of sacred art and Christian tradition cannot be misused or exploited. Italy’s culture ministry also announced an inquiry.
Meloni reacts on Instagram
Meloni responded by posting a picture of the disputed painting on Instagram with the caption: “No, I definitely don’t look like an angel”, accompanied by a laughing emoji.
What do you think should guide decisions about alterations to sacred art in places of worship?