An angel in this Rome’s church looks like a PM – can you spot who? | World News

New Delhi: A newly restored small chapel in the heart of Rome suddenly caught the city’s attention when visitors noticed something unusual: one of its angels appears to bear the face of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The chapel, part of the former Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, was mostly ignored until visitors and locals noticed the unusual similarity.

The parish priest said he did not notice the similarity until the issue was widely discussed and now regrets being caught up in the media frenzy.

The chapel had long been a quiet corner of the church. It was handed over to a monarchist group in the 1980s, where Italy’s last king, Henry II, died in exile. A bust of Umberto and a commemorative plaque were erected.

Around 2000 the walls were decorated with frescoes depicting royal domains and two angels on either side of the bust. Over the years, water damage has affected the chapel. The church restored it. The work was completed just before last Christmas.

Following the newspaper’s news, the chapel became the focus of controversy. Some lawmakers criticized the depiction as inappropriate for a religious setting, citing laws intended to protect Italy’s cultural heritage. Culture ministry officials announced that they would review the situation. Sacred art should not be misused for purposes other than liturgy or prayer, a senior Vatican official said.

As images and memes of her went viral, Prime Minister Meloni responded to the incident on social media, joking that she didn’t actually look like an angel. Reactions included witty quotes from comedians and playful comparisons to everyday life.

The volunteer responsible for the restoration insisted that the angel was not intended to resemble the prime minister and that the work faithfully copied the previous fresco. To verify the claim, art experts were asked to find images of the chapel before restoration.

The community priest said that although criticism was high, he also received messages from visitors who liked the frescoes. He stated that if the protests continue, the angel’s face may eventually be repainted.

Observers and journalists said Italians were now beginning to guess what other politicians the chapel’s angels might look like, calling it a collective case of pareidolia in which people see familiar faces in things that are not actually faces.

Some commentators described the angel as a sign of political loyalty or a cult of personality, while others saw it as harmless satire. Still, critics argued that restorers should not convey political messages in a religious context and warned of the possible consequences of this for future generations.

The chapel, one of the oldest parts of the Basilica with roots dating back to the 4th century, instantly became a symbol of Italy’s fascination with politics, art and social perception, all fueled by a single angel in the fresco.