PayPal Co-Founder Peter Thiel Delivers Controversial 'Antichrist' Lectures Near Vatican

Catholic institutions deny involvement as Thiel links biblical prophecy to AI, global politics

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:20pm

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Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel has sparked intense controversy in Rome after delivering a four-part lecture series on the Antichrist just outside the Vatican. Several prominent Catholic institutions, including the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas and the Catholic University of America, have issued swift denials of any official involvement in organizing the invitation-only event.

Why it matters

Thiel's lectures, which wove biblical prophecy into modern anxieties about artificial intelligence, global governance, and the erosion of Western tradition, have drawn significant attention due to his high-profile roles in both technology and politics. The event's proximity to the Vatican has also raised questions about the intersection of religion, technology, and geopolitics.

The details

The lectures, which ran from March 8-11, 2026, were reportedly organized by the Vincenzo Gioberti Cultural Association, an Italian intellectual group focused on Christian and classical thought. The Cluny Institute, an initiative connected to the Catholic University of America, was also linked to the program, but the university said the event was not sponsored by the institution.

  • The lectures took place from March 8-11, 2026.
  • The Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas and the Catholic University of America issued statements denying involvement on March 13, 2026.

The players

Peter Thiel

The co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, who has a long-standing interest in biblical prophecy and has previously linked the rise of artificial intelligence and global political tensions with broader philosophical questions about civilization's future.

Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas

Also known as the Angelicum, this is one of Rome's most prominent Catholic universities with a long academic history within the Catholic Church.

Catholic University of America

A university in Washington, D.C. that has a connection to the Cluny Institute, which was linked to the lecture series, but the university stated the event was not sponsored by the institution.

Vincenzo Gioberti Cultural Association

An Italian intellectual group focused on Christian and classical thought that organized the lecture series.

Cluny Institute

An initiative connected to the Catholic University of America that was linked to the lecture program, but the university said the event was not part of its official academic offerings.

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What they’re saying

“We would like to clarify that this event is not organised by the University, will not take place at the Angelicum, and is not part of any of our institutional initiatives.”

— Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (University website)

“The Cluny Institute operates as an independent initiative and the Rome lectures were not part of its official academic programmes.”

— Catholic University of America (University statement)

What’s next

Vatican officials have not yet commented publicly on the event, but the denials from nearby Catholic institutions suggest the lectures were not officially sanctioned by the Church.

The takeaway

Thiel's controversial lectures highlight the intersection of religion, technology, and global politics, raising questions about the role of faith-based institutions in addressing modern societal challenges and the influence of tech leaders in shaping public discourse on these issues.