A Franciscan Rector for the Urbanianum University

Friar Leonardo Sileo, OFM is the new Rector of the Pontifical University Urbanianum. Following the regular election procedure, the Congregation for Catbolic Education on August 18, 2017 nominated the professor Friar LEONARDO SILEO, OFM Magnificent Rector of the Pontifical University Urbanianum. Friar Leonardo belongs to the Province of the Immaculate Conception of the Friars Minor of Salerno (Italy); he resides at the Antonianum and for several years has been an Ordinary Professor of History of Medieval Philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy of the Pontifical University Urbanianum; he also teaches at the Pontifical University Antonianum, in the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and the ISRR. The Pontifical University Urbanianum has a long history: it was founded by Pope Urban VIII in 1627, as the Pontificumo Collegium Urbanum De Propaganda Fide, under the control of the similarly named Congregation of Propaganda Fide. In 1962, Pope John XIII changed its name to Pontificia Università Urbaniana, maintaining its ties to the Congregation for the Evangelization of peoples, whose Prefect is, ex officio, Grand Chancellor of the University. From its origins the Urbanianum has always given particular attention to the Missions and to the formation of missionaries and clergy from the Missions. Presently the Urbanianum has 5 Schools (faculties): Philosophy, Theology, Canon Law, Missiology e Languages. It also has the Higher Institute of Catechesis and Missionary Spirituality, which is also a Higher Institute of Religious Sciences with a special formation program in Missiology. We would like to offer a heartfelt congratulations to the new Rector!