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Rome — A restored angel fresco bearing a striking resemblance to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was painted over and effectively “scrubbed” from a historic church wall on the orders of the parish priest, following days of political controversy, clerical dismay and public curiosity that drew crowds to the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Lucina.

The alteration occurred overnight into Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, leaving the cherub headless as the Meloni-like face was covered with a rough layer of paint or plaster. Parish priest Monsignor Daniele Micheletti confirmed the decision, telling ANSA news agency he had long warned that the image would be removed if it proved divisive.

“I always said that if (the Meloni image) proved divisive we would remove it,” Micheletti said. He emphasized that the church sought to avoid any perception of political endorsement, adding that the parish did not wish to be seen as aligned with any party or figure.

The fresco, part of a chapel restoration completed in December 2025 after water damage from 2023 infiltrations, originally depicted two angels flanking a marble bust of Italy’s last king, Umberto II. One angel — a generic cherub in the 2000 original by artist Bruno Valentinetti — was updated during voluntary touch-up work to feature facial features many observers said mirrored Meloni’s: her distinctive hairstyle, jawline and expression.

Side-by-side photos published by La Repubblica on Jan. 31 sparked immediate online buzz and media coverage, with social media users dubbing it “Angel Meloni.” The resemblance prompted investigations by Italy’s Culture Ministry and the Diocese of Rome, which expressed “disappointment” and pledged to determine responsibility.

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Valentinetti, who volunteered for the restoration, denied any intentional likeness. He told media he simply refreshed the original 2000 design he created, insisting no political motive existed. “I copied what was there,” he said, noting the work lacked heritage protection as a modern addition.

Micheletti initially downplayed the fuss, invoking artistic tradition: “Painters used to put all sorts of things in frescoes; even Caravaggio painted the face of a prostitute.” He told La Repubblica he hadn’t noticed the similarity until it made headlines, and expressed frustration at the media storm thrust upon the parish.

The controversy blended sacred art, politics and public satire. Meloni, Italy’s first female prime minister and leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party, responded lightheartedly on social media: “No, I definitely don’t look like an angel,” she posted with a laughing emoji alongside a comparison photo.

Yet the episode highlighted sensitivities around church neutrality amid Meloni’s conservative government and close ties to traditional Catholic values. Critics questioned whether the resemblance constituted subtle flattery or mockery, while supporters saw it as harmless artistic whimsy.

By Feb. 4, crowds had gathered at the basilica — near government offices and major tourist sites like the Spanish Steps — to view the “Meloni angel” before its alteration. When doors opened Wednesday, visitors found the face erased, the angel’s body intact but decapitated in appearance.

The diocese’s intervention, relayed through technicians, urged the change to prevent further division. Some reports suggested the Vatican or diocesan authorities directly requested the modification, though Micheletti framed it as his own decision to preserve harmony.

The Culture Ministry’s probe focused on whether the restorer exceeded authorized scope, as modifications were not pre-approved. No heritage violation was apparent, given the painting’s modern origin, but officials inspected the site to assess compliance.

The basilica, one of Rome’s oldest with roots to the 4th century, houses chapels dedicated to souls in purgatory and royal memorials. The affected artwork adorned a side chapel, not a protected ancient fresco.

Reactions varied. Some Italians mocked the overreaction, joking online about “canonizing” Meloni or comparing it to historical cases where rulers appeared in religious art. Others criticized it as inappropriate politicization of sacred space.

Human rights and secular groups used the moment to question church-state boundaries under Meloni’s administration, while conservative commentators defended artistic freedom.

The quick resolution — from discovery to erasure in days — underscored Rome’s blend of tradition, politics and rapid response to controversy. The headless angel now stands as a symbol of the episode: a brief flash of modern satire swiftly neutralized to maintain decorum.

Valentinetti expressed no regret over the original work but complied with the request to cover it. Micheletti reiterated the parish’s apolitical stance, hoping the matter would fade.

As Rome’s faithful and tourists move on, the “Angel Meloni” saga remains a quirky footnote in the eternal city’s long history of art, power and piety — one that briefly turned a cherub into headline news.

Darden Restaurants announced on Tuesday that it will close its Bahama Breeze chain after nearly 30 years in operation.

The Orlando-based company said it will permanently shut down 14 of Bahama Breeze’s 28 restaurants, while converting the remaining locations into other Darden brands.

Restaurants designated for permanent closure will continue operating through April 5, Darden said.

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Sign in front of a Darden Restaurants Inc. Bahama Breeze Island Grille in Schaumburg, Illinois, on June 22, 2017. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The conversion of the remaining 14 locations is expected to take 12 to 18 months. Those restaurants will continue operating until any temporary closures are required during the conversion process, the company said.

A vehicle sits parked outside a Bahama Breeze restaurant in Schaumburg, Illinois, on June 22, 2017. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Darden did not specify which brands the Bahama Breeze locations will be converted into. The company’s portfolio includes chains such as Olive Garden, Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Eddie V’s, among others.

THIS RESTAURANT IS THE BEST PLACE TO EAT IN THE US, ACCORDING TO YELP

“The company believes the conversion locations are great sites that will benefit several of the brands in its portfolio,” Darden said in a press release. “Going forward, the primary focus will continue to be on supporting team members, including placing as many as possible in roles within the Darden portfolio.”

Most of the locations that will be converted into other brands are in Florida. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The Bahama Breeze locations slated for permanent closure are in Delaware, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, Darden said.

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Most of the locations that will be converted into other brands are in Florida, with additional restaurants in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

Shares of Darden Restaurants are up more than 14% year to date.

The firm says it is ‘focused on driving growth in our flexible generation business’

Power company Drax has announced a major restructuring which will lead to 350 redundancies as part of plans to build “a strong, resilient business for the future”. The FTSE 250 firm operates the country’s largest power station in North Yorkshire, which generates around 5% of the UK’s electricity predominantly from sustainable biomass.

At the end of last year it made two significant announcements, including its plans to establish a data centre at its Yorkshire site, highlighting how it plans to repurpose existing infrastructure at the power station, based between Selby and Goole, to develop a data centre. A centre could be operational as early as 2027, and it indicated it plans to allocate up to £2bn for incremental investment, primarily in flexible and renewable energy.

A month earlier it struck a £157.2m deal to acquire three battery energy storage system (BESS) projects. The sites are based in Marfleet in Hull, Neilston in East Renfrewshire, Scotland, and East Kilbride in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Now, the firm said it is “focused on driving growth in our flexible generation business”, resulting in the restructure. The company says 350 redundancies are set to be made, and it has now started a consultation process with affected staff, in Yorkshire and North America.

The biomass power station operators said: “As the global business and energy landscape continues to develop, we’re evolving our strategy to ensure we’re building a strong, resilient business for the future. The recent signing of the low-carbon dispatchable CfD agreement is recognition of the important role that Drax Power Station will continue to play for UK energy security into the 2030s.

“Moving forwards, we’re focused on driving growth in our flexible generation business, creating new options and opportunities at Drax Power Station beyond 2031, and advancing future uses of sustainable biomass. To help realise these opportunities, we’re adapting our organisational structure.

“As a part of that process, we are commencing a consultation process in the UK, and will be briefing colleagues in North America on changes that could result in a reduction of more than 350 roles across the Drax Group. We believe these changes are key to our long-term success and our continued commitment to deliver UK energy security and to support the energy transition.

“This is in no way a reflection of the professionalism, passion and commitment that our colleagues have shown. We will support our colleagues as we develop these proposals and work closely with our unions and elected employee representatives as we implement them.”

Union representatives from GMB accused Drax of betraying its employees. Deanne Ferguson, GMB senior organiser, said: “You can’t build a low-carbon future by making skilled energy workers redundant.

“Drax has had huge public subsidies – yet has betrayed the workforce and the communities that have supported it. A just transition means secure jobs, proper planning and workers at the heart of change. Ministers need to step in and make sure the reality matches their rhetoric. GMB will fight for nothing less.”

Q4: 2026-02-03 Earnings Summary

EPS of $1.10 beats by $0.07

 | Revenue of $12.30B (-1.66% Y/Y) misses by $42.98M

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