By Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN

Rome, Italy (CNN) — A painting in a Rome church has prompted an investigation following complaints that a newly-restored cherub bears a remarkable likeness to the nation’s leader, Giorgia Meloni.

The controversy surrounds restoration works carried out on a painting in the Chapel of the Holy Souls in Purgatory in the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Lucina, central Rome.

Although the work was completed in December, side-by-side images posted to social media in recent days of the restored work and Meloni show a striking resemblance.

While many politicians would surely like to have their constituents think of them as angelic, the Italian prime minister took to Instagram at the weekend to say she “definitely” does not look like an angel, in a post accompanied by a laughing emoji.

Italy’s cultural minister Alessandro Giuli has ordered an investigation as to whether the restorer intentionally added Meloni’s face to the fresco.

The Superintendency of Rome, which oversees the Italian capital’s archaeological and historic heritage sites, has been instructed by the Ministry of Culture to begin an investigation.

“The Superintendency has initiated archival research to identify documentation, photographic or project drawings, of the original painting in the chapel of the Crucifix in San Lorenzo in Lucina, created in 2000. The research is aimed at comparing it with the current decoration resulting from the restoration that took place in 2025,” the office of Daniela Porro, head of the Special Superintendency of Rome, said in a statement shared with CNN.

“The decoration dates back to 2000. It is not a cultural asset; in fact, it is not even protected,” Porro told reporters gathered outside the basilica on Monday following an inspection.

“Any modifications are permitted because it is a contemporary work, but if any, they must have been agreed upon with the relevant institutions,” Porro added. She said investigations would continue.

The restorer, Bruno Valentinetti, has denied making the image look like the Italian leader, telling local media that he copied the original 2000 drawing, adding that he did the work for free as a volunteer.

The chapel vicar Cardinal Baldo Reina has issued a statement on the matter, but has not weighed in on whether the angel’s face is that of the prime minister.

“In renewing the Diocese of Rome’s commitment to safeguarding its artistic and spiritual heritage, we firmly reiterate that images of sacred art and Christian tradition cannot be misused or exploited,” Reina said in a statement Saturday.

“The modification of the cherub’s face was an initiative of the decorator and was not communicated to the competent authorities. The Vicariate has committed to investigating the matter with the parish priest, Monsignor Daniele Micheletti, and to evaluate possible initiatives,” the statement added.

Opposition parties have pointed out that the basilica is one of the oldest in Christendom.

The furor has lured hundreds of people to the basilica’s chapel, which has been dubbed the “Meloni Chapel,” to judge for themselves if the face near the votive monument dedicated to the last King of Italy Umberto II resembles Meloni, prompting a vast array of online commentary from supporters and opponents of the populist leader.

The parish priest Micheletti confirmed the resemblance, but doesn’t agr

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By Ian Kerner, CNN

(CNN) — Struggles over intimacy, relationships and sex are usually on the table when I get together with a group of therapist colleagues to talk about what’s coming up in our practices and where we can use some guidance. A handful of us meet over lunch every other week to discuss those clinical issues or a new research study or whether we’ll all eventually be replaced by AI.

We don’t usually talk about television shows, but we recently checked those concerns to discuss why the groundbreaking Canadian series “Heated Rivalry,” a drama about fictional hockey players Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander falling in love, is making such a huge cultural impact. (The show is streaming in the United States on HBO Max, which is owned by CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.)

With the show dismantling stereotypes about gay sexuality, making consent so attractive, and addressing the anxiety and shame that we often bottle up inside when it comes to sex, our conversation could have gone on for hours — but here’s what stood out.

Spoiler alert: If you haven’t watched all six episodes yet, be warned there are spoilers to follow.

Why is ‘Heated Rivalry’ so popular?

Sure, “Heated Rivalry” features two attractive leads, gorgeous backdrops — that cottage! — and plenty of sex. But its appeal seems to be deeper, say my colleagues specializing in therapy focused on sex and relationships, all of whom have watched the show.

As we know, timing can be key, and that may be part of the show’s popularity.

“During a loneliness epidemic, ‘Heated Rivalry’ is catnip for folks starved for touch, connection and affection,” explained New York-based sex therapist Eva Dillon. “It offers a compelling template for a relationship that evolves from attraction and eroticism into being deeply known. In the current age of hookup culture, this model for the transition from attraction to real vulnerability and deep affection feels especially necessary.”

The show also helps us visualize how things could — and should — be in relationships, said Scott Duquette, a sex therapist in New York: “In many respects, ‘Heated Rivalry‘ is a fairy tale. It supports us in imagining that challenges can be overcome, that we can feel safe enough in our relationships, and that this life can give us pleasure, healing and excitement — all that good stuff. It calls on us to have hope.”

It may even inspire some people to become less inhibited about sex.

“The show’s popularity and the open discussion it has engendered has further created a snowball effect, enabling people to bring out a part of themselves — a part that may have been ‘closeted’ before this — that wants to be flexible and unrestricted by gender and sexual orientation stereotypes, as well as stereotypes about how a romantic relationship might progress,” explained therapist Nanaho Sawano, who is licensed in both New York and New Jersey.

The two main characters, Rozanov and Hollander, exhibit a lot of sexual diversity and are willing to explore the many ways they can feel sexual pleasure together without being defined by the rigid role expectations often present in heterosexual relationships.<

Por Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN en Español

Pasó un mes desde el operativo militar en Caracas en el que fue capturado el presidente Nicolás Maduro, y los Gobiernos de Venezuela y de Estados Unidos, lejos de cortar relaciones, están en su momento de mayor diálogo y coordinación en varios años.

El chavismo, que construyó su retórica con el antiimperialismo como pilar, viene implementando con el liderazgo de Delcy Rodríguez varias medidas que responden a demandas de la Casa Blanca, que por el momento no ha puesto sobre la mesa una vía electoral como reclama la oposición.

La dirigente opositora María Corina Machado, que en principio fue dejada de lado por la Casa Blanca, luego fue incorporada en los planes de Washington, pero todavía sin pasos concretos.

Desde el día del ataque en Caracas, el presidente Donald Trump dejó claro que entre sus prioridades estaba el control del petróleo, teniendo en cuenta que Venezuela posee una de las reservas probadas más grandes del mundo.

La Asamblea Nacional, controlada por el oficialismo, aprobó rápidamente una reforma parcial a la ley de hidrocarburos, un emblema del proceso de nacionalización petrolera del fallecido presidente Hugo Chávez que fijaba el control exclusivo de la empresa Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).

La modificación permitirá la participación de empresas privadas domiciliadas en Venezuela sin participación estatal en la exploración, extracción, recolección, transporte y almacenamiento de hidrocarburos, y en el caso de las empresas mixtas, también habilita la comercialización. También flexibiliza el esquema de regalías y admite que las controversias sean resueltas por mediación y arbitrajes independientes, con la posibilidad de acudir a tribunales ordinarios.

Rodríguez defendió la iniciativa y aseguró que permitirá que el país tenga mayores recursos.

Días después de la captura de Maduro, el Gobierno anunció que liberaría a “un número importante” de presos políticos. Desde entonces, más de 300 detenidos fueron excarcelados, según el registro de varias organizaciones locales como Foro Penal, que sin embargo reclaman que la cifra no llega a la mitad de presos políticos en el país. Por su parte, las autoridades afirman que 895 personas fueron liberadas, aunque su conteo va desde noviembre.

Los familiares han realizado en el último mes numerosas vigilias en las cárceles esperando por información sobre sus parientes, y grupos civiles continúan reclamando al Gobierno que entregue una lista detallada con los casos. Cuando Trump fue consultado por las demoras en el proceso, respondió con elogios. “Han liberado a muchos presos políticos en Venezuela”, dijo a mediados de enero.

La semana pasada, Rodríguez anunció que impulsará una ley de amnistía general que iría desde 1999, año en que asumió Chávez. “Pido que no se imponga la revancha, la venganza y el odio. Estamos dando la posibilidad de vivir en paz en Venezuela”, dijo la mandataria.

Además, anunció el cierre de El Helicoide, el centro de detención más temido de Venezuela por las malas condiciones de reclusión y varias denuncias sobre diferentes tipos de abusos, para convertirlo en un centro de servicios sociales y deportivos para la comunidad.

Semanas antes, Trump había declarado que en el centro de Caracas hay “una cámara de tortura”, en aparente referencia al Helicoide, y afirmó que “ahora la están cerrando”. No quedó claro si fue un adelanto del anuncio o una forma de recordarle a