Vatican 'saddened' by 'certain scenes' at Olympics' opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of the Olympics was immediately under criticism, and it "saddened" Pope Francis.

A statement released by the Vatican Saturday evening said there should be "no allusions ridiculing the religious convictions of many people."

"The Holy See was saddened by certain scenes during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games and can only join the voices that have been raised in recent days to deplore the offence caused to many Christians and believers of other religions," the statement said.