By Trendsetter Tribune 
A restored fresco in a Roman basilica is being changed after the diocese ruled that the angel’s face too closely resembled Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
A Roman diocese overseen by Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV has ordered a church in Rome to revise a fresco after observers noticed that an angel in the artwork resembled Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The discovery, reported by Italian media, triggered public debate and prompted church officials to intervene.
The controversy began when La Repubblica reported that a recently restored fresco inside the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina appeared to show an angel with facial features strikingly similar to those of Meloni, leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party. The fresco’s artist, Bruno Valentinetti, denied intentionally using her likeness, saying the resemblance was accidental.
Despite the denial, the diocese expressed clear dissatisfaction. Church officials said sacred images must not be used for political messaging or interpretations. On Monday, technicians from the diocese informed the parish priest that the image needed to be altered to remove any association with contemporary political figures.
Parish priest Daniele Micheletti initially defended the fresco, arguing that including a recognizable face did not imply political endorsement. He pointed out that other figures—such as Italy’s last king, Umberto II—also appear in church imagery without controversy. However, after discussions with the diocese’s leadership, Micheletti confirmed the artwork would be modified.
Cardinal vicar Baldassare Reina, a close ally of Pope Leo, issued a statement stressing that sacred art must remain focused on spiritual purpose and should not risk being interpreted as political commentary. Archivists are now reviewing old documentation of the fresco, which Valentinetti originally painted in 2000, to guide the restoration.
The situation comes at a time when Pope Leo XIV has been vocal about distancing himself from political influence, including disagreements with U.S. President Donald Trump. The pope has criticized Trump’s immigration tactics and raised concerns directly with Vice President JD Vance in a meeting earlier this year. His public stances have occasionally drawn backlash, including a White House rebuke after he said detained migrants should be permitted to receive communion.
As the basilica prepares to alter the angel’s face, the episode has sparked broader discussion in Italy about the boundaries between art, religion, and politics—and where those lines should remain firmly drawn.