Restored Roman church fresco said to resemble Italian PM Meloni sparks debate

BASRA, Iraq — A fresco uncovered during restoration work at a historic church in Rome has drawn public attention after observers said the angel figure in the artwork resembles Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Critics pointed to the figure's facial features, gaze and mouth as reasons for the comparison. Meloni responded to the matter by saying she is not an "angel," dismissing the comparison with a sarcastic remark. Her reaction did little to quiet the discussion, which has spread across Italian media. In Italy, where the relationship between the church and the state has a long history, the debate has focused on questions of artistic neutrality and the symbolic presence of political power in sacred spaces. Some commentators argued the fresco is out of place within the church's setting, while others described the comparison as an exaggerated media interpretation. The episode has renewed discussion over the boundary between art and politics, and whether symbols associated with political power belong in places of worship.