In a statement, the Church considered the ceremony's portrayal of Christ and his disciples in Leonardo da Vinci’s "The Last Supper" a grave insult to Christian beliefs.

The Church highlighted the irony of witnessing such a portrayal at an event symbolizing global respect and ethical principles.

Instead, according to the statement, the scene, which diverges from the Olympic Charter and its core values, appeared to serve particular intellectual agendas.

The Church called for a formal and serious apology from the Paris 2024 Olympics organisers to address the offence caused to Christians worldwide.

It stressed the importance of ensuring that such disrespectful representations do not recur in future events, emphasising that the Olympics should be an occasion for joy and unity, not division.

Earlier Sunday, Al-Azhar strongly condemned the scenes, emphasising its absolute rejection of any actions that insult or demean the prophets and messengers of God, and asserting that any insult towards them is a disgraceful act.

Furthermore, the Middle East Council of Churches and the Evangelical Community in Egypt condemned these scenes, which they viewed as mocking Christian sanctities.

Religious conservatives from around the world also decried the segment, with the French Catholic Church’s conference of bishops deploring “scenes of derision” that they said made a mockery of Christianity. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova echoed a similar sentiment.

Meanwhile, the Paris Olympics organisers apologised to anyone offended by the tableau that evoked Leonardo da Vinci’s "The Last Supper" during the opening ceremony.

"There was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group," Paris 2024 Spokesperson Anne Descamps said, noting that they were trying to "celebrate community tolerance."

Descamps added that she apologizes to anyone who found certain scenes offensive, stressing that there was no intention to offend anyone.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it took note of the clarification given by the Paris 2024 Organising Committee and welcomed it.​