In a statement released more than a week after the festivities, the Holy See appeared to target a segment interpreted by some as drag queens mocking Christianity in a parody of “The Last Supper.”
The scene generated claims of sacrilege from Harrison Butker, Donald Trump Jr., Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and other conservative figures.
“The Holy See was saddened by certain scenes in the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris and can only join the voices that have been raised in recent days to deplore the offense caused to many Christians and believers of other religions,” the Vatican said in a statement on Saturday, per the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“In a prestigious event where the whole world gathers around common values, there should be no allusions that ridicule the religious convictions of many people,” the statement continued.
The extravaganza’s artistic director has since said the scene was a nod to Dionysus, the Greek god of decadence and celebration.
The backlash lingered, and people offended by the segment were mocked.
The ceremony also earned additional buzz with its prerecorded depiction of randy young clowns roaming the streets of Paris before initiating a menage à trois.