RCC probing fresco restoration in Rome over its resemblance to PM Meloni

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni and fresco in the church of San Lorenzo in Lucina in Rome. Photo: ANSA

In January 2026, the Roman diocese of the Roman Catholic Church opened an inquiry after the depiction of a cherub on a fresco in the church of San Lorenzo in Lucina, restored at the start of the year, sparked comparisons to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, ANSA reports.

The diocese said the review is aimed at clarifying the circumstances of the restoration work and any potential responsibility of those involved. Church representatives stressed that "images of sacred art and Christian tradition cannot be misused or exploited, as they are intended exclusively to support liturgical life and personal and community prayer."

Restorer Bruno Ventinetti, who carried out the work, said he merely restored the fresco’s original lines and did not intend to give the figure the features of any specific person. His comments came amid calls from opposition political forces for full transparency in the investigation.

Meloni herself reacted to the furore on social media by asking jokingly: “Do I look like a cherub?”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that 320,000 Parisians protested plans to replace the historic stained-glass windows at Notre-Dame de Paris with new ones featuring black figures.

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