A face closely resembling that of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has appeared in a fresco in the Roman basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina following a recent restoration. La Repubblica, which initially published the controversial cherub photo, brought attention to the matter. The prime minister reacted with irony, posting the image on social media with the caption, "No, I definitely don't look like a fallen angel," and a smiley emoji.
The reaction from the opposition was harsh: the Democratic Party (PD), the Greens and Left Alliance (AVS), and the Five Star Movement (M5S) called for intervention by Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli and the Superintendency. The ministry announced that MIC officials had conducted an immediate inspection at the minister's request to ascertain the nature of the work and determine any necessary measures. The Diocese of Rome also expressed surprise and embarrassment, stating that it had not been informed of any changes to the cherub's face. Despite acknowledging a "certain resemblance", Monsignor Daniele Micheletti, the rector of the basilica, emphasized that he had requested a conservative restoration and could not understand the clamor that surrounded the incident. Subsequently, an official note from the Vicariate clarified that the modification of the face would have been an uncommunicated initiative by the decorator, prompting further investigations. Later in the evening, Cardinal Vicar Baldo Reina also intervened, distancing himself from earlier statements and defining as “inappropriate” any use or instrumentalization of sacred art, reiterating the liturgical and spiritual value of religious images. Restorer Bruno Valentinetti denies the claims, calling them "inventions" and insisting that he merely restored the fresco as it was painted twenty-five years ago, with no purposeful modifications.