Mysterious cherub face pops up at sacred tourist site as officials launch investigation

A mysterious cherub look has popped up successful the Basilica of San Lorenzo successful Lucina, Italy — prompting officials to motorboat an investigation.

The cherub intimately resembles Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni successful a restored fresco that honors Italy’s King Umberto II depicting Angels, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

The Meloni-like cherub is shown successful a deferential airs toward the king. 

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Some radical are interpreting this arsenic a pointed allusion to Italians’ post–World War II rejection of the monarchy aft its enactment for fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

Angels are shown depicted connected a fresco to the representation of precocious Italy's King Umberto II wrong the Basilica of St. Lawrence successful Lucina successful Rome. (Gregorio Borgia/AP Photo)

The diocese of Rome addressed the contention successful property releases, noting that the fresco was being restored successful a project.

They "had been alert since 2023 of a restoration project, without modifying oregon adding anything, connected the fresco successful question, precocious made [in] 2000. Therefore, the modification of the cherub's look was an inaugural of the decorator not communicated to the competent bodies," said 1 of the statements. 

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"The diocese of Rome’s committedness to the preservation of its creator and spiritual heritage, it is firmly reiterated that images of ineffable creation and Christian contented cannot beryllium misused oregon exploited, arsenic they are intended exclusively to enactment liturgical beingness and idiosyncratic and communal prayer," the releases besides conveyed. 

Local craftsman and restoration unpaid Bruno Valentinetti told the section property helium sees nary resemblance betwixt the coating and Meloni.

The basilica is 1 of the oldest churches successful Rome, archetypal consecrated by Pope Sixtus III. It is located adjacent the Spanish Steps. (Gregorio Borgia/AP Photo)

Meloni poked amusive astatine the painting, sharing a photograph connected Facebook with the caption, "No, I decidedly don’t look similar an angel" — on with a laughing emoji.

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Rev. Daniele Micheletti told AP that galore artists person depicted existent radical successful their paintings.

"No, I decidedly don’t look similar an angel," joked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni connected Facebook. (Andre J. Isakovic/AFP via Getty Images)

"The clergyman is not liable for the decorations successful the consciousness that the proprietor is idiosyncratic else," Micheletti said. "So, what bash they privation from me? I did not bash the painting."

The basilica is 1 of the oldest churches successful Rome, consecrated successful the 5th period by Pope Sixtus III — and is located adjacent the Spanish Steps.

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The operation was destroyed during World War II and galore frescoes were mislaid successful raids, according to Jubilee 2025.

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The Associated Press contributed reporting.