In the near future, after the end of the strike movements in Italy and Greece, which may affect their smooth transportation, they are expected to return from Vatican Museums in Athens – three fragments of the Parthenon, which Pope Francis “gifted” to Archbishop Jerome in December.

The official ceremony for the reception of the fragments and their integration into the Acropolis Museum will take place on Friday, March 24, the Ministry of Culture announced yesterday, confirming corresponding publication “K” (03.07.2023). The event will be attended by representatives of the Vatican.

Agreements for the final return of the three fragments to Greece and their display at the Acropolis Museum, as well as protocols for their delivery and receipt, were signed yesterday morning at the Vatican’s Gregorian Museum of Secular Art (Museo Gregoriano Profano).

The “gift” was presented, among others, by Cardinal Fernando Verget Altaga, President of the Government of the Vatican City State, Representative of Archbishop Jerome, Archpriest Father Emmanuel Papamikoulis, Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, Director of the Vatican Museums and Cultural Heritage Barbara Yata and General Director of the Acropolis Museum Nikos Stampolidis.

Ms Mendoni said that Pope Francis’ “donation” shows that culture promotes dialogue, peace and reconciliation of communities, while Cardinal Altaga spoke of a gesture aimed at building “bridges of brotherhood”. Father Emmanuel Papamikroulis emphasized that with the return of the fragments of the Parthenon, the wounds from past practices are being healed, at least in part, and expressed the hope that the pontiff’s initiative will find other imitators.