The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross realizes the desire of Saint Josemaría Escrivá, Founder of Opus Dei, to set up a center for university studies in Rome that would serve the whole Church by means of a broad and thorough work of research and formation in the ecclesiastical sciences, cooperating, according to its special function, with the mission of evangelization of the Church in the whole world.

While waiting for the proper conditions to ripen, the Founder of Opus Dei laid a basis of constant work and prayer, at the same time as he fostered the formation of professors at the highest intellectual level.

His successor, Bishop Alvaro del Portillo, obtaining the necessary approval from the Holy See, made it a reality beginning with the 1984-85 academic year.

The Congregation for Catholic Education, by means of a Decree of January 9, 1990, and in accordance with the authority it enjoys from the Roman Pontiff, canonically erected the Roman Atheneum of the Holy Cross, and entrusted it to the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei.

The Chancellor is the Prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarría.