The Vatican issued a statement on August 3 expressing its disappointment over a controversial segment in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games.
The ceremony, held on July 26, included a performance featuring drag queens that many interpreted as a parody of the Last Supper.
“The Holy See was saddened by certain scenes during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games,” the statement began.
The Holy See emphasized the importance of respecting religious convictions at international events. “In a prestigious event where the whole world comes together to share common values, there should be no allusions ridiculing the religious convictions of many people,” the Vatican statement continued.
The Vatican also clarified that its criticism was not an attack on freedom of expression. “The freedom of expression, which is clearly not called into question here, is limited by respect for others,” the statement reads.
However, the Vatican said it “deplore[d] the offence caused to many Christians and believers of other religions” by the performance.
Thomas Jolly, the French creative director of the event, apologized at a news conference on July 28, saying he “did not intend to be subversive or to mock or shock.”
Despite the apology, the incident has continued to draw significant backlash from religious leaders and communities worldwide.
Editorial credit: Hethers / Shutterstock.com
