Why does John the Baptist deny being "Elijah"?

Why does John the Baptist deny being "Elijah"?

So Malachi rather cryptically ends with

“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord
comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the
children to their pa…

America, attributed their success

The provided text details a significant ecumenical exchange between Catholic and Pentecostal leadership, marking a crucial step towards mutual understanding and reconciliation. Building upon…