Erdogan Calls Pope Francis Over Olympic Controversy

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with Pope Francis regarding the 'immoral display' at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Erdogan highlighted acts ridiculing sacred values, citing the inclusion of drag queens and Last Supper tableau. Both leaders discussed unified opposition to such displays.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan communicated with Pope Francis on Thursday, discussing the 'immoral display' during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, according to an official statement from Erdogan's office.

During the telephone call, Erdogan emphasized that the event trampled on human dignity and mocked religious values, offending both Muslims and Christians alike.

Noteworthy for its inclusivity, the ceremony prominently featured drag queens, representing the influential French LGBTQ+ community, but also faced backlash for a scene resembling Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper'.

Erdogan, who has ramped up anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, stressed to the Pope the urgency of a united stance against such actions.

His ruling party, rooted in Turkey's Islamic movement, frequently condemns the LGBTQ+ community as 'deviant,' a threat to traditional family values, and has enforced a ban on Pride marches since 2015.

(With inputs from agencies.)