Summary
A fresco in a side chapel of St. Lawrence Basilica, located in central Rome, was recently restored and exposed an unexpected controversy when one of the angels depicted bore a striking resemblance to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The angel is part of a funerary monument dedicated to Umberto II, who reigned as Italy’s last king. The fresco, painted in 2000 by church sacristan Bruno Valentinetti, initially drew curiosity from visitors but eventually became a contentious issue after the Italian prime minister herself expressed concern on social media. Cardinal Baldassare Reina of the Diocese of Rome intervened and declared that images should not be used improperly or instrumentally. The controversy culminated when Valentinetti covered over the angel’s face with white paint to end the divisiveness and prevent visitors from coming for nonreligious reasons, such as taking photos without attending Mass or praying.
Key Topics
Rome, Meloni, Restoration controversy
