The original facial features will now be restored, the office of the Diocese of Rome said on Wednesday, following a strongly worded statement from Rome’s Cardinal Baldassare Reina.
Expressing his “disappointment over what happened”, Reina said “images of sacred art and Christian tradition cannot be misused or exploited”.
The Basilica of St Lawrence, which is a five minute walk from Meloni’s office in the heart of Rome, has seen an influx of curious visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the now-infamous fresco.
“There was a procession of people who came to see it and take selfies, not to pray,” the basilica’s priest, Rev. Daniele Michelett, told Ansa news agency.
Michelett said he had not noticed the resemblance to the prime minister when he first saw the restoration work, but agreed that it did not “conform to the original iconography and sacred context” of the church.