The Vatican expressed dismay over a scene from the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, which it deemed offensive to Christians.
Sadness Over Certain Scenes
According to Ziare the controversial performance, featuring a character representing the Greek god Dionysus, was criticized for allegedly depicting Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper."
In a statement issued a week after the event, the Holy See voiced its sadness over certain scenes from the July 26 ceremony. The Vatican, speaking in French, aligned itself with those offended by the portrayal. "At a prestigious event where the whole world comes together to share common values, there should be no absurd references to religion," the statement read.
Critics of the ceremony saw the scene as a representation of Jesus and his apostles from Da Vinci's iconic painting. The performance, produced by DJ Barbara Butch, a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ community, featured her with silver hair styled to resemble a halo, surrounded by drag artists and dancers. This portrayal was condemned by French Catholic bishops, who felt it mocked Christianity.
Denied Inspiration from Last Supper
Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the ceremony, repeatedly denied any inspiration from "The Last Supper." He stated that the scene aimed to celebrate diversity and pay homage to French feasting and gastronomy. Jolly explained that the performance referenced "The Feast of the Gods," a painting by a 17th-century Dutch artist.
The Paris Olympic organizers apologized to those offended by the scene. Despite the backlash, they maintained that the intent was to celebrate inclusivity and cultural heritage.
The Vatican did not provide an immediate response when questioned about the delay in addressing the issue, which came a week after Catholic leaders worldwide had expressed their outrage.
