A Rome church has painted over an angel that had been restored to resemble Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after the image triggered political and clerical criticism.
The altered face appeared in a chapel of the Basilica of St Lawrence in Lucina, a short walk from Italian government buildings.
One of two angels had been restored to look almost identical to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italy's first woman premier.
The image was spotted by the newspaper la Repubblica at the weekend and drew protests from opposition politicians. Cardinal Baldo Reina, Vicar General for the Rome diocese, also expressed irritation over the discovery.
When the church reopened on Wednesday, the Meloni-like face had been painted over.
Priest Daniele Micheletti said the change was made because visitors began focusing on the figure rather than attending Mass or prayer.
He told Italian agency ANSA that he had warned the image would be removed if it caused division.
Bruno Valentinetti, the amateur artist who originally created the wall painting in 2000 and was recently asked to restore it due to water damage, said he had been told by the Vatican to erase the Meloni likeness.
The Holy See declined to comment, while the diocese said it would issue a statement later.
Cardinal Reina said on Saturday that he felt "bitterness" at the episode and ordered an investigation, stressing that sacred images must not be misused.
Italy's Culture Ministry also announced an inquiry. Meloni reacted lightly, posting a photograph of the disputed angel on Instagram with the caption "No, I definitely don't look like an angel" and a laughing emoji.
The painting is not protected as cultural heritage, according to priest Micheletti, who said Valentinetti was fully responsible for the original work and its restoration.
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