Paris Olympics opening ceremony's 'Last Supper' parody sparks controversy

PARIS - A parody of Leonardo Da Vinci's famous fresco 'The Last Supper' featuring drag queens in the Olympic opening ceremony in Paris has sparked fury among the Catholic church and far-right politicians, while supporters praised its message of tolerance. The unprecedented ceremony on the Seine River, which drew millions of viewers around the world, included a tableau celebrating the French capital's vibrant nightlife and reputation as a place of tolerance, pleasure and subversiveness. It recreated the famous biblical scene of Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles sharing a last meal before crucifixion, but with a group of drag queens, a transgender model and a naked singer made up as the Greek god of wine Dionysus. The Catholic church in France criticised the segment. "This ceremony has unfortunately included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity, which we very deeply deplore," the Conference of French bishops said in a statement. Far-right politicians in France and elsewhere took to social media to express their disgust.

Paris Olympics opening ceremony's 'Last Supper' parody sparks controversy

Paris Olympics opening ceremony's 'Last Supper' parody sparks controversy

Paris Olympics opening ceremony's 'Last Supper' parody sparks controversy

Paris Olympics opening ceremony's 'Last Supper' parody sparks controversy

Paris Olympics opening ceremony's 'Last Supper' parody sparks controversy