Greece's Elgin Marbles Are Not Britain's to Keep
Following the example of Pope Francis would foster some much-needed friendship for the UK in Europe.
Some of the Elgin Marbles at the British Museum in London.
Photographer: DANIEL LEAL/AFPPope Francis last month returned to Greece the Parthenon marbles held by the Vatican Museums for some 100 years. It’s high time Britain followed the Argentine pontiff’s example. Next year, when Greece marks the 50th anniversary of the return of democratic rule, presents an ideal opportunity.
Restoring the ancient marbles — a relief of a horse, and the heads of a young boy and bearded man — to Greece was motivated by a “sincere desire to follow in the ecumenical path of truth,” according to the Vatican. In other words, Pope Francis added his weight to the view of the Greek Orthodox Church, also widely held by Greek people, that the Parthenon marbles, which date to the 5th century BC, need to be back in Greece.