In the wake of widespread criticism, the Vatican said it was “saddened by certain scenes from the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games” in a statement in French published on Saturday.
“The Holy See can only join the voices that have been raised in recent days to deplore the offense done to many Christians and believers of other religions,” the text adds.
The show broadcast last Friday on Mondiovision included a scene – “Festivity” – which some critics considered to be a parody of the Last Supper, Christ’s last meal according to Christian tradition, with transvestites and drag queens. The singer Philippe Catherine performed his song Notin a skimpy outfit, embodying Dionysus.
“Freedom of expression finds its limits in respect for others”
The Olympic organizers said it was inspired by a painting depicting a banquet around the Greek god Dionysus, preserved in a museum in Dijonbut this has not silenced the critics, especially from traditionalist and far-right circles.
“In a prestigious event where the whole world comes together around common values, there should be no allusions that ridicule the religious convictions of many people,” the text adds. “Freedom of expression, which is obviously not called into question, finds its limit in respect for others.”
Erdogan, Trump, Ayatollah Khamenei…
Earlier this week, Turkey’s conservative Islamist President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would call Pope Francis to condemn the ceremony, saying it represented “immorality towards Christians.”
Former US President Donald Trump, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a group of French bishops also criticized the ceremony.
The show’s artistic director, French director Thomas Jolly, who is under investigation for cyberbullying over the controversy, said he wanted to “send a message of love, a message of inclusion.”
