Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Sparks Controversy with Last Supper Tableau

During the grand Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics, a performance turned into a hot topic of discussion after it seemed to make fun of Jesus and the Last Supper. Held on July 26, the ceremony took place along the picturesque Seine River, which marked a first for the Olympics.

The event included a parade of nations and featured famous performers like Celine Dion and Lady Gaga. However, things took a turn when 18 performers, including some drag queens, posed around what appeared to be a long table reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper.

In the performance, a dancer at the center wore a silver headdress, resembling a halo, creating a scene that upset many viewers. Clint Russel, a host of a podcast, expressed his outrage on X, stating that it seemed like a blatant disrespect toward the 2.4 billion Christians worldwide.

The Last Supper, a significant moment in Christian tradition, commemorates the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion. French bishops later voiced their disappointment over what they considered mockery of Christianity and expressed solidarity with those hurt by the performance.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna conveyed his distress to the French ambassador of Malta, highlighting the offense taken by Christians. Bishop Andrew Cozzens from the U.S. called for prayer among Catholics, stating that the Last Supper was depicted in a distasteful manner.

Some French politicians echoed these sentiments, labeling the act as a mockery that tarnished France’s reputation. Marion Marechal, a member of the European Parliament, noted the performance was orchestrated by a “minority” looking to provoke controversy.

On the other hand, the artistic director of the ceremony, Thomas Jolly, defended the performance, emphasizing freedom of artistic expression in France. He mentioned that the intention was not to shock anyone but to celebrate diversity.

Supporters of the performance saw it as a moment of inclusivity, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. James Leperlier, president of Inter-LGBT, praised the portrayal of queer representation during the event.

Amidst the mixed reactions, some like U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the tableau “shocking” and “insulting” to Christians. Meanwhile, other attendees took to their social media to express their disbelief at the artistic interpretation of such an iconic biblical moment.