Thiel's secret conference in Rome worries the Church: The appearance of the Antichrist and the role of artificial intelligence in the plans of a world government

(Patria) - Peter Thiel, an American billionaire and supporter of President Donald Trump, yesterday launched a series of closed-door lectures in Rome, exploring the concept of the Antichrist, attracting the attention of Catholic commentators, Reuters reported.

The conference, by invitation only and lasting until Wednesday, is not open to the media, and the venue has not been publicly disclosed. Organizers, quoted in the media, say participants come from academic, technological, and religious circles.

The co-founder of Palantir Technologies, an artificial intelligence (AI) software company with deep ties to U.S. defense and intelligence agencies, Thiel has in recent years turned his attention to religious and philosophical ideas. Last year, he held a similar series of talks in San Francisco, exploring the possibility of the Antichrist, a figure who opposes or denies Christ, appearing on the global stage.

Thiel said he is wary of the possibility of an Antichrist emerging who will create a world government by promising something like averting a catastrophe fueled by nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, or climate.

Thiel (58) grew up in an evangelical Christian family and said Christianity shapes his worldview.

His visit has attracted the attention of the Catholic Church, which, under Pope Francis, the first American pope, has openly criticized some of Trump's right-wing policies.
Francis has also warned of the dangers posed by artificial intelligence.

Catholic universities in Rome have denied press speculation that they might host the event, and no meeting between Thiel and Francis is scheduled, according to the official papal agenda.

'An extended act of heresy'

Father Paolo Benanti, who advises the Pope on artificial intelligence, wrote in an essay published on Saturday that Thiel has acted as a "political theologian" within Silicon Valley.

"Thiel's entire action can be read as an extended act of heresy against the liberal consensus: a challenge to the very foundations of civil coexistence, which he now considers obsolete," Benanti wrote on the Le Grand Continent website. The article was titled: "American Heresy: Should Peter Thiel Be Burned at the Stake?"

L'Avvenire, a newspaper owned by the Italian Bishops' Conference, also published a series of articles last week that were sharply critical of Thiel.

One article warned that tech leaders should not be allowed to define ethical boundaries on their own, arguing that governments must defend democratic oversight of digital platforms and resist the spread of disinformation.

Thiel maintains close ties with figures in Washington, including Vice President J.D. Vance, who is himself a convert to the Catholic faith.

Thiel's appearance in Rome follows a series of visits to Italy by prominent figures associated with the American conservative movement, including Steve Bannon, Elon Musk, and Vance.

According to the Prime Minister's agenda, no meeting is scheduled between Thiel and Giorgia Meloni.