MAGA Billionaire Brands Pope Leo XIV a 'Woke American Pope' as Antichrist Tour Hits Vatican

Tech billionaire Peter Thiel transported his controversial lecture series concerning the Antichrist to the doorstep of the Catholic Church. The 58-year-old donor initiated private religious gatherings in Rome on 15 March, sparking unease among Vatican figures.

Thiel previewed these apocalyptic themes in San Francisco last autumn, warning that a supreme adversary of Christ will establish a totalitarian regime. Bringing this campaign to Italy prompted sharp rebukes.

Secretive Roman Venues and Institutional Denials

The location of the discussions remains a guarded secret. Reports suggested the entrepreneur, whose net worth exceeds £5.5 billion ($7.0 billion), partnered with educational institutions across Rome.

Key academic bodies have swiftly distanced themselves. The Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas issued a firm denial regarding its participation.

The university stated, 'With reference to several articles that have appeared in the press in recent days regarding an alleged event with Peter Thiel at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), we would like to clarify that this event is not organized by the University, will not take place at the Angelicum, and is not part of any of our institutional initiatives.'

Tracking True Organisers Behind Apocalyptic Gatherings

Investigations into the event's backing yielded conflicting narratives. Reporting indicated the lectures were a joint effort between an Italian Christian group and an American institute.

The Vincenzo Gioberti Cultural Association officially acknowledged its role. Conversely, the Washington-based Cluny Institute at the Catholic University rejected any involvement.

An institution representative stated it was 'not sponsoring or hosting an event featuring Peter Thiel this month in Rome.' His spokesperson has not responded.

Clashing With the Pope Over Woke Governance

The self-described 'small-o orthodox Christian,' denounces environmental safeguards and technology regulations. He previously targeted activist Greta Thunberg, describing her as one of the 'legionnaires of the Antichrist.'

Thiel also targeted the Catholic Church leader, labelling Pope Leo XIV a 'woke American pope.' These characterisations predictably inflamed tensions.

An editorial in L'Avvenire recently branded the Palantir co-founder an 'agent of chaos.' Writer Milena Santerini argued Thiel believes 'world government processes are the Antichrist and only technological progress managed by great powers (left free from all constraints) can bring peace and security.'

Santerini further condemned his philosophy. She wrote, 'Humanitarian policies, rules imposed on technology, underestimation of the 'natural' violence of men and defense of the rights of the weak (criticized as "woke") according to Thiel have in fact produced Western decadence.'

Vatican Condemns MAGA Political Strategies

This collision arrives amidst a rift between the Vatican and the Trump-aligned movement. Pope Leo XIV actively criticised the former administration's aggressive policies.

The pontiff recently condemned military posturing towards Iran and Venezuela. He prayed that 'the roar ​of bombs may ​cease, that ⁠weapons may fall silent, and that space may be opened for ​dialogue in which the voices of peoples ​can ⁠be heard.'

Last November, the Pope insisted politicians must find ways of 'treating people humanely, treating people with the dignity that they have.'

The pontiff explained, 'If people are in the United States illegally, there are ways to treat that. There are courts. There's a system of justice.' Observers of these secret meetings note this highlights a schism between Catholic teaching and modern populism.