ATHENS, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Pope Francis has decided to return to Greece three fragments of the Parthenon that have been held in the Vatican museums for centuries. The pope will donate the pieces to Ieronymos II, archbishop of Athens and all Greece, the Greek national news agency AMNA reported on Friday.

The three marble fragments depicting the heads of a bearded man, a boy and a horse, have been held in the Vatican since the 19th century, and are part of the decorative sculptures of the Parthenon temple that was built on the Acropolis hill 2,500 years ago, the report said, citing a Vatican announcement.

Greece's Culture and Sports Ministry welcomed the decision, which "supports Greece's efforts for the return to Athens also of the Parthenon sculptures held at the British Museum," read an e-mailed press release.

In the early 19th century, while Greece was under Ottoman Empire rule, half of the sculptures of the Parthenon were removed by British diplomat Lord Elgin. For decades, Greeks have repeatedly asked for them to be returned to Athens. Enditem

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