US and International Leaders Slam Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony for Mocking Last Supper

Several U.S. and international leaders condemn the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony for its controversial depiction of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” The portrayal, which included drag queens and artists, has sparked widespread criticism for its perceived disrespect to Christian values.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) expressed his disapproval in a post on X, condemning the “mockery” of the sacred scene. “Last night’s mockery of the Last Supper was shocking and insulting to Christian people around the world,” Johnson wrote. He further criticized the event as part of a broader “war on our faith and traditional values,” invoking the Bible verse John 1:15, which speaks to enduring truth and virtue.

Delegations arrive at the Trocadero as spectators watch French singer Philippe Katerine performing on a giant screen in Paris during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) also used social media to denounce the ceremony. She accused the French Olympic Committee of censoring videos of the event and defended the right to share criticisms under the First Amendment. “The French Olympic Committee has been hard at work taking down videos of their satanic, trans, and occult opening ceremonies,” Greene stated. “It’s our First Amendment right to share these videos and our outright opposition to the anti-Christian Olympic opening ceremonies.”

Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini joined the criticism by sharing an image of the drag queens overlaid on “The Last Supper,” denouncing the act as offensive. “Opening the Olympics by insulting billions of Christians around the world was a terrible start, dear French,” Salvini commented. “Seedy.”

Italy’s deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, reacted to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on X. (REUTERS/Antonio Parrinello)

Hungary’s ambassador to the Vatican, Eduard Habsburg, made a point of reference to the historical execution of Marie Antoinette in his critique. Habsburg remarked, “Decapitating Habsburgs and ridiculing central Christian events are the FIRST two things that spring to mind when you think of [the Olympic Games].”

Public figures outside of the political sphere also voiced their outrage. Fox Nation host Piers Morgan criticized the ceremony’s depiction of the Last Supper, questioning the intent behind the performance. “A drag queen mockery of the Last Supper at the Olympics? Would they have mocked any other religion like this? The appalling decision,” Morgan wrote on social media.

The ceremony, which aimed to celebrate inclusivity and artistic expression, has faced backlash from those who view it as a disrespectful portrayal of a critical Christian symbol. The controversy highlights ongoing debates over the intersection of cultural representation and religious sensitivities in global events.

As the Olympics continue, the criticism underscores the challenges of balancing artistic freedom with respect for diverse religious beliefs. The debate surrounding the opening ceremony reflects broader discussions on how significant events navigate cultural and spiritual boundaries.

Sola Adeniji

News Reporter, Freelancer, and content creator

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