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.
U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, with Tehran responding by launching ballistic missiles at two U.S. bases...
The death toll from last week's catastrophic floods in Nepal and Tibet rose to 939 on Monday, with 3,044 peo...
At least 11 people, including eight children, have been killed after a powerful explosion at a firecracker fact...
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have concluded talks in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, as leaders gather for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Iran has reached an understanding with Oman on transit arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz, but the waterway will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils its commitments, a senior Iranian diplomat said on Saturday.
U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, with Tehran responding by launching ballistic missiles at two U.S. bases in Jordan in the first direct U.S.-Iran military escalation in weeks.
Russia views NATO’s growing military activity in the Arctic as a direct threat to its national security, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
At least 37 people were killed after a Russian drone strike hit an ammunition depot in the Kyiv region, triggering powerful secondary explosions President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday, vowing to punish suspected negligence in the second such incident in two months.
Country music legend Dolly Parton, whose songs, unmistakable style and warmth made her one of America’s most enduring entertainers, has died aged 80, her family said on Tuesday.
Kanye West’s first solo concert in Central Asia delivered an estimated five billion tenge ($11 million) tourism boost to Almaty, drawing 31,000 spectators from more than 50 countries.
American actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in TV shows such as Nashville and Heroes, has died at the age of 36, ABC News reported on Sunday, citing her representative.
Four artworks by 15th-century painter Antonello da Messina have been stolen overnight from the Museo Regionale di Messina, Italy's culture minister said on Sunday, expressing confidence in the police inquiry.
Cristiano Ronaldo has given one of his clearest indications yet that his playing career is nearing its end, saying the 2026-27 season will “probably” be his last in professional football.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment