Pontifical Gregorian University

in 1551, st. ignatius loyola, the founder of the society of jesus, opened a "schola grammaticae et humanitatis pro iuvenibus" in rome. within a short span of time, it became the roman college and in 1556 started conferring academic degrees according to pontifical norms. the collegio included all grades of schooling, and it is its university division of philosophy and theology that was given papal approval in 1556 that made it the first university founded by the society of jesus (jesuits). in 1584 the university was given a grandiose home by pope gregory xiii, after whom it was renamed. since 1930 the pontifical gregorian university has been located at piazza della pilotta, 4 - rome, italy. its international faculty serves around 3800 students from over 150 countries.