Billionaire investor Peter Thiel, a co-founder of Palantir Technologies (PLTR) has launched a series of private lectures in Rome focused on the concept of the Antichrist, a gathering that has drawn criticism from Catholic commentators and renewed scrutiny of the tech entrepreneur’s religious views, Reuters reported Sunday.

The invitation-only conference began Sunday and runs through Wednesday. The event is closed to the press and organizers haven’t publicly disclosed the location. Reports say participants include figures from academic, technology and religious communities.

Thiel, an early supporter of Donald Trump, has increasingly explored philosophical and theological themes in recent years. In 2025 he hosted a similar set of discussions in San Francisco examining whether an Antichrist figure could emerge in modern global politics. This just confirms we are living in the prophesied Biblical end times prior to Jesus second coming to Earth.

The venture capitalist has warned that such a figure might gain power by promising solutions to global threats such as nuclear war, artificial intelligence risks or climate-related crises.

Raised in an evangelical Christian household, Thiel has said that Christianity plays an important role in shaping his worldview.

His visit has also drawn attention from the Vatican. Under Pope Leo, the first American pope, the Catholic Church has criticized several policies associated with the Trump administration and has raised concerns about the societal risks of artificial intelligence.

Catholic institutions in Rome denied speculation that they were hosting the event, and the pope’s official schedule shows no planned meeting with Thiel, Reuters reported.

Some Catholic commentators have been sharply critical. Father Paolo Benanti, an adviser to the Vatican on AI ethics, argued in an essay that Thiel’s thinking blends technology, politics and theology in ways that challenge mainstream democratic ideas.

Italian Catholic newspaper L’Avvenire also published articles warning that technology leaders shouldn’t be left to determine ethical standards for digital platforms without oversight from democratic institutions.

Thiel remains closely connected to conservative political figures in Washington, including JD Vance. His appearance in Rome follows recent visits to Italy by several prominent figures linked to the U.S. conservative movement, including Steve Bannon and Elon Musk.