Silicon Valley tech billionaire Peter Thiel is delivering exclusive lectures on the Antichrist in Rome near the Vatican, creating controversy in Catholic circles. The invitation-only conference has prompted Catholic universities to deny official involvement, distancing themselves from the tech entrepreneur's apocalyptic discussions that challenge traditional religious institutions.

Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, has long explored theological concepts alongside his tech career. His Rome lectures follow a similar series in San Francisco, examining the Antichrist through science, technology, and the works of thinkers like René Girard and Francis Bacon. The Palantir co-founder has expressed fascination with how these ancient prophecies relate to modern existential risks.

The event's organizers include an Italian cultural association and the Cluny Institute, though Catholic University of America distanced itself, calling the project "independent." Thiel's political connections—including his support for Trump's immigration policies and mentorship of JD Vance—add another layer to the controversy surrounding his religious lectures near the heart of Catholicism.