Pope orders return of 2,500-year-old Parthenon pieces to Greece from Vatican's collection

pe Francis has ordered the return of three 2,500-year-old pieces of the Parthenon to Greece that have been in the papal collections of the Vatican Museums for more than a century.

The Vatican said in a brief statement on Friday that the pope was giving them to Ieronymos II, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church, as a gesture of ecumenical dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church.

The Parthenon, which is on the Acropolis in Athens, was completed in the fifth century BC as a temple to the goddess Athena and its decorative friezes contain some of the greatest examples of ancient Greek sculpture.

It was not immediately clear what plans Ieronymos had for the small sculptures.

Pope Francis has ordered the return of three 2,500-year-old pieces of the Parthenon to Greece that have been in the papal collections of the Vatican Museums for more than a century© Provided by Daily Mail

The Vatican said in a brief statement on Friday that the pope was giving them to Ieronymos II, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church, as a gesture of ecumenical dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church. Pictured: Head of a boy© Provided by Daily Mail

According to the Vatican Museums website, one piece is the head of the horse that was pulling Athena's chariot on the west side of the building. 

The others are from the head of a boy and the head of a bearded male. They have been in the Vatican since the 19th century.

The pieces are being returned to Greece as London and Athens continue to battle over the so-called Elgin Marbles.

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni expressed her gratitude to Pope Francis 'for the generous decision,' saying in a statement that it supported the government's efforts for the return of the marbles from the British Museum.

Greece has repeatedly called for the permanent return of the 2,500-year-old sculptures, which British diplomat Lord Elgin removed from the Parthenon temple in the early 19th century when he was ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Greece's then-ruler.

The British Museum has always ruled out returning the marbles, which include about half of the 160m (525ft) frieze that adorned the Parthenon, and insists they were legally acquired.

The Parthenon, which is on the Acropolis in Athens, was completed in the fifth century BC as a temple to the goddess Athena and its decorative friezes contain some of the greatest examples of ancient Greek sculpture© Provided by Daily Mail

According to the Vatican Museums website, one piece is the head of the horse (above) that was pulling Athena's chariot on the west side of the building© Provided by Daily Mail

Earlier this month a Greek newspaper reported that a deal to return the marbles to Greece was close, but the Greek government said it was not imminent.

In March, the United Nations' cultural agency UNESCO urged Greece and Britain to reach a settlement.

It comes just days after Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said returning the 'Elgin Marbles' to Greece would be a 'very dangerous and slippy road'.

The Cabinet minister suggested handing back the 2,500-year-old sculptures would spark a wave of demands for the return of other artefacts held in Britain.

'Where does that end?,' asked Ms Donelan, as she highlighted how the law currently 'does not allow' historical objects to leave the UK apart from in certain circumstances.

It recently emerged that George Osborne, the former chancellor who is now chairman of the British Museum, has been holding talks with Greece's prime minister over the possible return of 'Elgin Marbles'.

'I think George Osborne's position is a little bit different to has been portrayed,' Ms Donelan told MPs.

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan suggested handing back the 'Elgin Marbles' would spark a wave of demands for the return of other artefacts held in Britain© Provided by Daily Mail

Lord Elgin removed about half of the remaining sculptures from the ruins of the Parthenon between 1801 and 1805, before they entered the British Museum© Provided by Daily Mail

'But there are some people that are strongly advocating to return some of these items permanently. The current law does not allow that, it should be acknowledged.

'I can completely understand the position that they are taking and I can sympathise with some of the argument. But I do think that is a very dangerous and slippy road to embark down.'

The Culture Secretary added that Britain had 'taken great care' over artefacts held in the country's museums 'for decades' and had conducted 'considerable' research into historical items.

She told the committee: 'Once you start giving one back, where does that end?

'It's also very difficult to know who to give these things back to. We're talking about very ancient items in many respects.

'There are certain examples where it is not clear over exactly who the owners are. And others where I would argue it is more clear that we have a direct link to ownership.

'But, certainly, I think the current status quo is working and we should protect it.'