The Angel Meloni is no more. A painting of a cherub resembling Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has been painted over at the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina. The face, which drew crowds to the church in Rome and sparked scandal, was erased by Wednesday. La Repubblica reported that restorer Bruno Valentinetti covered it at the church's request. Valentinetti said he had styled the painting on Meloni, but didn't say why. The diocese of Rome and the Italian Culture Ministry launched investigations. The original painting, dating from 2000, wasn't historic, but the church insisted political figures have no place in art. Meloni joked about the resemblance on social media.
