‘Meloni angel’ in Roman church could be restored back to original
An angel apparently painted with the face of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in one of Rome’s oldest churches could be restored to its original appearance after suddenly gaining international notoriety.
The Italian authority responsible for historical monuments announced on Tuesday that it was studying the case of the now famous angel, who appears on a fresco in the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Lucina.
The fresco, until then little noticed, has become a magnet for visitors to the Italian capital since the new face of the angel stood out for its resemblance to Meloni.
The monuments authority is trying to determine whether the modification carried out by an amateur restorer was authorized. Otherwise, the angel must return to its original appearance.
Parish priest Daniele Micheletti told La Repubblica newspaper: “We are looking for a solution.”
Meloni, of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party, has governed Italy for more than three years – longer than almost any other head of government since World War II. The “Angel Meloni” is holding a scroll with the outline of Italy.
The artist was church volunteer Bruno Valentinetti. The 83-year-old is considered an admirer of Meloni.
In a podcast, he said the idea for the new angel face came to him while he was sleeping. “Meloni appeared to me in a dream, dressed in white. She said to me: ‘Bruno, paint the angel in my image. Give him my face!’ My hand then moved on its own.”
Valentinetti had previously questioned whether there was any resemblance to the Italian leader, stressing that he had only “restored what already existed 25 years ago”.
