A startling discovery in a historic Rome church has sparked a unique controversy. A fresco depicting a winged angel, eerily resembling Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has been removed from its place. This incident has caused quite a stir, with the Vatican facing an unexpected challenge. The angel's face, remarkably similar to Meloni's, was the result of an amateur artist's restoration work. The artist, Bruno Valentinetti, confessed to the newspaper La Repubblica that he had been asked by the Vatican to remove the image, which had been a source of debate. The altered painting, completed in 2000, was not protected by heritage regulations, but its uncanny resemblance to Meloni sparked investigations by Italy's culture ministry and the diocese of Rome. Cardinal Baldo Reina expressed his disappointment, stating that sacred art should not be misused. The basilica's parish priest, Daniele Micheletti, initially noticed the resemblance but insisted on a restoration that preserved the original artwork. However, the church has since become a hub for visitors eager to witness the now-removed image, causing a shift in focus from religious practice to this intriguing controversy. The opposition politicians of the Five Star Movement criticized the use of art for propaganda, while Meloni herself found the situation amusing, sharing a photo with a playful caption on her Instagram account.
