Paris 2024 organizers have apologized for the segment
VATICAN CITY:
The Vatican said Saturday it was saddened by a skit at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics that appeared to be a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting “The Last Supper.”
“The Holy See was saddened by certain scenes at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris and cannot but join the voices raised in recent days to deplore the insult inflicted on many Christians and believers of other faiths” , it said on an unusual weekend evening. press release issued in French.
The segment during the July 26 ceremony resembled the Biblical scene of Jesus Christ and his apostles sharing a final meal before the crucifixion, but featured drag queens, a transgender model and a naked singer as the Greek god of wine Dionysus.
Paris 2024 organizers apologized two days later, saying they never intended to disrespect any religious group.
The artistic director behind the scenes said it was not inspired by the Christian Last Supper, but rather by a pagan festival associated with the historic Olympic Games.
“At a prestigious event where the whole world comes together around common values, there should be no innuendos that ridicule the religious beliefs of many people,” the Vatican added.
“Freedom of expression, which is of course not up for discussion, finds its limit in respect for others.”
The Vatican did not say why it made its statement more than a week after the opening ceremony.
Pope Francis had a phone conversation with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on August 1, during which Erdogan said the two leaders had discussed the event in Paris.
Although the Vatican later confirmed to Reuters that the call had taken place, it would not comment on what the leaders discussed.
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