The Olympics’ opening ceremony faced immediate backlash, leaving Pope Francis “saddened.”
A statement from the Vatican on Saturday evening emphasized that there should be “no mockery of the religious beliefs of many individuals.”
“The Holy See expressed its sadness regarding certain moments during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games and echoes the sentiments of those who have voiced concerns about the offense taken by many Christians and followers of other faiths,” the statement declared.
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An overview of the Trocadero venue as delegations arrive in Paris for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics on July 26, 2024. (Francois-Xavier Marit/Pool Photo via AP)
“At a significant event that unites the world around common values, it is inappropriate to make allusions that mock the religious beliefs of many. While freedom of expression is vital, it should not come at the expense of respecting others.”
The ceremony drew attention with a depiction of a headless Marie Antoinette, followed by a ménage à trois.
However, the most controversial moment came when the ceremony appeared to recreate a parody of the Last Supper with individuals in drag.
The performance featured a floating parade on the Seine River last week, showcasing drag queens around a table, with one performer painted blue sitting atop the table. Critics argue this resembled Da Vinci’s famous painting portraying the moment Jesus announces his betrayal.
Performers who participated in the Last Supper portrayal during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Reuters/Tingshu Wang)
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There has been conflicting information from Olympic organizers regarding the intention behind the drag scene. One spokesperson reportedly admitted to the New York Post that creative director Thomas Jolly drew inspiration from Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” Meanwhile, others claimed there was no ill intent, suggesting it was merely an homage to Greek mythology.
A number of Christian leaders and celebrities, including Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, fitness expert Jillian Michaels, Elon Musk, actress Candace Cameron Bure, and former transgender influencer Oli London, expressed their disappointment regarding the portrayal.
Delegations arriving at the Trocadero during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024. (Loic Venance/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
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U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.; Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene; Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini; conservative French politician and European Parliament member Marion Maréchal; and Hungary’s ambassador to the Vatican, Eduard Habsburg, are among the officials who denounced the performance.
Fox News’ Joseph A. Wulfsohn, Cortney O’Brien, Brian Flood, Ryan Gaydos, and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
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