FILE - Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (center) speaks with Pope Francis during a group photo at the G7 summit in Borgo Egnazia, near Bari, southern Italy, on June 14, 2024. On Thursday, August 1, Erdogan discussed the "immoral display" at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony with Pope Francis, urging a unified stance against actions that mock sacred values, according to a statement from Erdogan's office. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the “immoral display” at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony with Pope Francis on Thursday, calling for a unified stance against actions that ridicule sacred values, according to a statement from Erdogan’s office.
In a telephone conversation, Erdogan told the pontiff that “human dignity was being trampled on, and religious and moral values were being mocked, offending Muslims as well as the Christian world,” the statement said.
The opening ceremony featured drag queens prominently, celebrating the vibrant and influential role of the French LGBTQ+ community. However, the event drew criticism for a tableau resembling Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” with drag queens and other performers arranged in a configuration similar to Jesus Christ and his apostles.