Mendoni notes Pope Francis’ ‘generosity’ in returning Parthenon frieze fragments

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni recalled on Tuesday, Pope Francis’ “generosity” by deciding to return fragments of the Parthenon frieze in 2023, saying it demonstrated “a tangible example of his sincere desire to follow the ecumenical path of truth.”

In March 2023, the Vatican Museum returned three fragments in the form of a “donation” by Pope Francis to Archbishop Ieronymos of Greece, “as a concrete sign of his sincere desire to follow in the ecumenical path of truth.”

The sculptures are remnants of a 160-meter-long (520-foot) frieze that ran around the outer walls of the Parthenon Temple on the Acropolis, dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom. 

“We will never forget the generosity with which he offered to Greece the three fragments of the sculptural decoration of the Parthenon, which belonged to the collections of the Vatican Museums, as a tangible example of his sincere desire to follow the ecumenical path of truth, demonstrating in practice how culture can contribute decisively to dialogue, peace, and reconciliation of communities,” Lina Mendoni said in her message. 

“The prestige that he rightfully acquired during his lifetime and the love with which people surrounded him, all over the world, are transformed with his death into an indelible and weighty legacy, worthy of any continuation.”

Source: ekathimerini.com