A figure resembling Italy’s prime minister on a Rome church wall blurred the lines between religion and politics

The Vatican has stepped in after a freshly restored church fresco in Rome sparked controversy for featuring an angel that appeared to resemble Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a close European ally of Donald Trump.

Controversy erupts over a restored fresco in Rome's Basilica of San Lorenzo showing a cherub that reportedly looks like Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Officials are investigating.

An investigation has been launched after an artist was accused of painting over a classical cherub to resemble Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Bruno Valentinetti was commissioned to restore a fresco mural he painted in the chapel of the Basilica of St Lawrence in Lucina 25 years ago,

By Crispian Balmer ROME, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Former army general Roberto Vannacci quit the League group, part of Italy's governing coalition, on Tuesday to set up his own far-right party, potentially complicating Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's hopes of winning re-election next year.

A controversial far-right politician has left Giorgia Meloni’s governing coalition, creating a fracture in Matteo Salvini’s League party.