10:28 pm - February 4, 2026
A controversial cherub painting depicting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been hastily removed from a historic Rome basilica following days of public speculation and official scrutiny. The artwork, which attracted crowds of curious visitors to the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, was covered overnight with paint or plaster, leaving only the cherub’s body visible while the face resembling Meloni was completely erased. The removal came after both the Diocese of Rome and Italy’s Culture Ministry launched formal investigations into how the political figure’s likeness appeared in the church artwork.
The restorer responsible for the Meloni cherub, Bruno Valentinetti, admitted to La Repubblica newspaper that he had intentionally styled the angel’s face after the Italian premier, though he declined to explain his motivation. Church authorities requested the immediate removal of the controversial image, and Valentinetti complied by covering it up before the basilica opened Wednesday morning.
Political Imagery Sparks Church Controversy
Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the pope’s vicar for Rome, firmly stated that political figures have no place in church art, prompting swift action to address the situation. The painting itself was not part of the basilica’s historic patrimony, having been created only in 2000 during renovations that included installing a bust of Italy’s last king, Umberto II. However, the inclusion of a current political leader’s likeness raised questions about appropriate religious imagery.
The cherub originally depicted an angel holding a map of Italy, positioned as if kneeling before the king’s bust. Meanwhile, the artwork underwent restoration after water leaks damaged the basilica beginning in 2023, and it was during this restoration that Meloni’s face appeared on the cherub.
Public Interest and Disruption
The revelation transformed the centuries-old basilica into an unexpected tourist attraction, with locals and visitors queuing to photograph the political cherub. According to church officials, the crowds at times disrupted Mass services as people sought to capture images of the unusual artwork. La Repubblica newspaper first broke the story Saturday, publishing a front-page photograph of the Meloni-like angel that quickly went viral across Italian media.
Additionally, the controversy provided unexpected publicity for the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, one of Rome’s oldest churches. The premier herself responded to the incident with humor, writing on social media that she “definitely” does not look like an angel, accompanied by a laughing emoji and a photo of the cherub.
Government Sets New Rules for Meloni Cherub Replacement
In contrast to the hasty overnight removal, any future restoration will require careful oversight and planning. The Culture Ministry issued a statement Wednesday establishing strict protocols for repainting the angel’s face, requiring prior authorization from three separate entities: the government, which owns the church building; the Diocese of Rome, which operates it; and the ministry’s special superintendency for Rome.
Furthermore, the ministry specified that any permission request must include a detailed sketch of the proposed image. The investigations that were launched aim to identify how the original 2000 cherub appeared, with the goal of restoring the painting to match that initial design. The faceless cherub currently visible appears to be a temporary solution to remove the controversial political imagery while proper restoration plans are developed.
Authorities have not confirmed a timeline for the final restoration of the cherub artwork. The basilica must now submit formal documentation and obtain multiple approvals before any permanent replacement can proceed, ensuring no political figures appear in future iterations of the religious painting.
