Peter Thiel's Antichrist Lecture Series in Rome

Peter Thiel, a U.S. tech billionaire and early supporter of Donald Trump, launched a secretive, invitation-only lecture series in Rome on the concept of the Antichrist. The event, which runs until Wednesday, is not open to the press and its venue has not been publicly disclosed. This series has drawn significant scrutiny from Catholic commentators and institutions, including Father Paolo Benanti, an AI adviser to Pope Francis, who described Thiel's actions as a 'prolonged act of heresy against the liberal consensus'. Catholic universities in Rome, such as the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas and the Catholic University of America, have denied hosting or sponsoring the event. The lectures have prompted questions about the influence of tech leaders like Peter Thiel on religious discourse and public policy in Italy and beyond, with concerns raised about technology firms shaping ethical boundaries. Despite political interest, no meetings are scheduled between Peter Thiel and Pope Leo XIII or Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.