The Vatican has officially condemned the portrayal of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, joining a chorus of global criticism. The contentious scene featured drag queens as the apostles and an overweight DJ depicting Jesus, which many saw as a mockery of Christianity.
In a statement released by the Holy See, the Vatican expressed its disapproval, noting that the event saddened many Christians and other believers. They emphasized that such prestigious events, which unite the world around common values, should not include content that ridicules religious beliefs.
🔴 Vatican Fires Back at Blasphemous Olympics Opening Ceremonyhttps://t.co/2IE2gnLklE pic.twitter.com/uWyVmWbhYK
— RTM News (@RTM__news) August 5, 2024
The open ceremony creators said their depiction was a nod to Dionysus, the Greek god of decadence and celebration. However, this explanation did little to quell the backlash. The ceremony's artistic director defended the performance, claiming it was meant to highlight the absurdity of human violence and not to offend any religious group.
Prominent Catholic figures and organizations swiftly voiced their objections. The French Bishops' Conference, along with bishops from the U.S. and other countries, issued statements condemning the scene.
BREAKING
The Vatican CONDEMNS the Olympics Opening Ceremony
'The Holy See was saddened by certain scenes at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, and can only join the voices that have been raised in recent days to deplore the offence caused to many Christians and… pic.twitter.com/EOnROlp551
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) August 3, 2024
Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta expressed his "distress and great disappointment" in a message to the French ambassador, urging others to make their voices heard. Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota also called on Catholics to respond actively to this perceived mockery of the Last Supper.
The Muslim Council of Elders also weighed in, warning against the dangerous trend of using cultural events to normalize disrespect for religion and promote societal behaviors contrary to natural human values. They reiterated the importance of sports events as platforms to celebrate diversity and promote mutual respect.
Conservative figures in the U.S., including Donald Trump Jr. and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, joined in the criticism, reflecting a broader discontent among religious and conservative communities.
This controversy highlights ongoing tensions over how religious symbols and narratives are used in popular culture and the arts, especially in global events like the Olympics. The Vatican's condemnation, along with the reactions from other religious leaders, underscores the significance of respecting religious sentiments in international arenas.
