Pontifica Università Gregoriana

About

The Pontifical Gregorian University, a prestigious Jesuit institution in Rome, is renowned globally as a leading center for ecclesiastical studies. It specializes in theology, philosophy, canon law, and church history, preparing students primarily for service within the Catholic Church, though it also welcomes lay students. With an exceptionally diverse student body representing over 120 countries, the international experience is fundamental, fostering a unique multicultural academic environment. While instruction is primarily in Italian, the university's global nature means professors and peers are accustomed to linguistic diversity. Its distinctive characteristic is its direct historical and ongoing role as a primary intellectual formation center for the Holy See and the global Catholic Church.

Background

The Pontifical Gregorian University (Italian: Pontificia Università Gregoriana), also known as the Gregorian or Gregoriana, is a private pontifical university in Rome, Italy. Gregorian’s alumni include 17 popes and 72 saints and beatified individuals. The Gregorian originated as a part of the Roman College, founded in 1551 by Ignatius of Loyola, and included all grades of schooling. Its chairs of philosophy and theology received papal approval in 1556, making it the first institution founded by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). In 1584, the Roman College was given a new home by Pope Gregory XIII, after whom it was renamed the Gregorian University. It had distinguished scholars in ecclesiastical fields as well as in natural science and mathematics. Only the theology and philosophy departments of the Gregorian survived the political turmoil in Italy after 1870. The university's alumni include 17 popes, the highest in comparison to other universities. Today the Gregorian has an international faculty and around 2750 students from over 150 countries.

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