Summary
A painting of an angel resembling Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, known as Angel Meloni, was removed from the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina after a wave of public outcry. The original cherub with a face bearing a striking resemblance to Meloni had attracted large crowds and sparked investigations by the diocese of Rome and the Italian Culture Ministry. Launched on 2000, the painting featured an angel holding a map of Italy before King Umberto II, last king of Italy. When it emerged in March with the face of Meloni during renovations to replace water-damaged sections, church authorities covered it up within hours at the request of Cardinal Baldassare Reina, who insisted that political figures had no place in church art. The incident highlighted tensions between religious and governmental authorities over controversial imagery. Despite initial investigations aimed at restoring the painting to its original appearance, the faceless version remains as a temporary fix to eradicate Meloni’s likeness from the artwork.
Key Topics
Rome, Meloni, Basilica of San Lorenzo
