Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel’s invitation-only lectures on the Antichrist have become one of Rome’s hottest tickets. Running from Sunday to Wednesday near the Vatican, the event draws intense interest and debate from theological and tech circles.
Universities Distance Themselves from the Event
Pontifical St. Thomas Aquinas University, known as the Angelicum and alma mater of Pope Leo XIV, denied involvement. In a statement, the university clarified: “This event is not organized by the University, will not take place at the Angelicum, and is not part of any of our institutional initiatives.”
The lectures are jointly organized by Italy’s Vincenzo Gioberti Cultural Association and the Cluny Institute linked to the Catholic University of America. The Gioberti group focuses on renewing Italian political culture through classical and Christian thought to tackle Western crises. A spokesperson for the Catholic University of America confirmed it is not sponsoring or hosting the event, describing the Cluny Project as an initiative.
Thiel’s Longstanding Interest in Apocalyptic Themes
Co-founder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies, Thiel explores the Antichrist—a biblical opponent of Christ—and Armageddon as lenses for today’s existential risks in science and technology. In a November essay in First Things, he wrote: “Christians debated these prophecies for millennia. Who was the Antichrist? When would he arrive? What would he preach?”
The Rome series follows a four-part lecture blueprint from San Francisco last September. Invitations highlight discussions on science, technology, theology, history, literature, and politics, referencing thinkers like René Girard, Francis Bacon, Jonathan Swift, Carl Schmitt, and John Henry Newman.
Thiel’s Business Empire and Political Ties
Thiel helped form the “PayPal Mafia,” including Elon Musk, after selling PayPal to eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002. He later founded Clarium Capital and Palantir, which supports U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in deportations. Palantir also contributes to White House projects, alongside figures like David Sacks, former PayPal colleague and chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
A major backer of Vice President JD Vance—a Catholic convert and key Trump ally—Thiel donated millions to Vance’s Senate campaign. Vance views Thiel as a mentor. Vance’s use of the Christian “order of love” concept to justify immigration policies drew criticism; before his papacy, Robert Prevost shared an article titled “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.” Vance attended Pope Leo XIV’s installation and delivered a letter from President Trump inviting the pope to visit.
