The Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum is an academic institution that since 1998, the year John Paul II recognized it as a Pontifical University, has distinguished itself by its contribution to the evangelization of culture through interdisciplinary research lines.

The Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum (APRA) is promoted by the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ, and was canonically erected by the Congregation for Catholic Education on September 15, 1993.

Since 1998, the year John Paul II recognized it as a Pontifical University, APRA has been distinguished by its contribution to the evangelization of culture through interdisciplinary research lines, an innovative teaching, and the involvement and growth of students in innovative programs and transversal competencies.

Considering its mission of evangelizing culture in full harmony with the Holy Father and the Magisterium of the Church, through its study programs to develop Catholic thought and culture that permeate the Christian spirit in today’s society, the General Director of the Legionaries of Christ, P. John Connor, L.C., in his capacity as Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum (APRA), met with the members of the APRA Steering Council who presented him with the progress of the 2019-2024 Strategic Plan. All members of the Council were present. P. Marcelo Bravo, L.C., connected online from Chile.

APRA is currently evaluating and defining the strategic objectives for the next Strategic Plan for 2024-2029. In this regard, the progress and the general outline of the next plan were presented.

The Athenaeum works around 4 axes:

1) Academic quality.

2) University experience.

3) Management.

4) Institutional development.

From left to right: P. Alberto Carrara, L.C., Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy; Alberto García, Dean of the Faculty of Bioethics; P. José Oyarzún, L.C., Rector of the Athenaeum; P. Jose Fernández San Román, L.C., Dean of the Faculty of Theology; P. John Connor, L.C., Grand Chancellor and General Director of the Legionaries of Christ; Salvatore Emanuele Bova, General Economer; P. David Koonce, L.C., Vice-Rector for Academics, and P. Aaron Robles, L.C., Secretary General.

The overall assessment of progress in various objectives is very positive and satisfactory. It highlighted the collaborative and coordinated work between areas and departments, the development of a distance learning department, the growing student participation in institutional projects and initiatives, and the development of new innovative academic and research initiatives. The topic of the APRA’s relationship with the Regnum Christi International University Network and its specific contribution to the training of its students, teachers, and managers was also addressed.

In the coming months, work will be done on the operational plans to present to the academic community in October of this year.

The Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum is an ecclesiastical university in Rome, dependent on the congregation of the Legionaries of Christ. It is also the youngest among the ecclesiastical university institutions in the city of Rome.