Paris Olympics organizers have issued a **lukewarm** apology for the Last Supper parody featured at the opening ceremony, which drew widespread criticism from Catholics and other Christian groups. The segment, which depicted Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting with drag queens, a transgender model, and a singer dressed as the Greek god Dionysus, was intended to highlight “the absurdity of violence between humans,” according to the organizers.

The performance, set against the River Seine, provoked strong reactions from various religious and conservative groups. Paris 2024’s spokesperson, Anne Descamps, stated, “There was no intention to disrespect any religious group. The ceremony aimed to celebrate community tolerance. If it offended anyone, we sincerely apologize.”

France’s blend of Catholic heritage with secularism and anti-clericalism makes the controversy particularly complex. While some applauded the ceremony’s message of inclusivity, the Catholic Church in France condemned it as “derisive and mocking of Christianity.” Monsignor Emmanuel Gobilliard noted that the fallout had even affected some French athletes’ sleep.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta and Vatican official criticized the performance as a “gratuitous insult,” and Italy’s bishops lamented what they saw as a “parade of banal errors.” Italian newspaper Avvenire questioned the necessity of incorporating such themes into global events.

Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League, condemned the segment as “squalid,” while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized the West’s “moral void.” Some commentators suggested that the incident exemplifies how modern culture wars are intensified by constant news cycles and social media.

Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the ceremony, insisted that his goal was not to provoke religious backlash but to celebrate diversity and inclusion. “We aimed to bring people together. Diversity is about inclusivity, and that was our intent,” Jolly explained.