Founded in 1773 by Pope Clement XIV, the Pontifical Lateran University was called the “University of the Pope” by Pope John Paul II in 1980.

Photo: Divulgation.

Newsroom(16/10/2022 20:10, Gaudium Press) The Pontifical Lateran University celebrated 250 years of its foundation on October 4th. To celebrate this anniversary, Cardinal Vicar Angelo De Donatis, Grand Chancellor of the University, presided a Holy Mass in the premises.

Founded in 1773 by Pope Clement XIV after the union of the then Roman Seminary with the School of Theology of the Roman College, the Pontifical Lateran University was called “the Pope’s University” by Pope John Paul II in 1980.

Photo: Divulgation.

Lecture given by Cardinal Mario Grech

After the Holy Mass, students from several countries and faculty members from various universities gathered in the institution’s auditorium to attend a lecture given by Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops.

“A correct reception of the conciliar ecclesiology is activating such fruitful processes that not even the Council had imagined and in which the action of the Spirit who guides the Church is manifested,” stated the Cardinal, making a reference to the Second Vatican Council.

Photo: Divulgation.

First lay rector in the history of the Pontifical Lateran University

Professor Vincenzo Buonomo, rector since 2018 and the first layman to assume this role in the history of the Pontifical Lateran University, assured that “in 250 years, great goals have been achieved in education and research, peace and the defense of the Common House, our next future.”

“These are goals that range from formation to research and that are necessary to bring out people capable of making an important contribution to the life of the Church and society,” he concluded. (EPC)

Compiled by Teresa Joseph