In 1883, Father Bernardino Dal Vago da Portogruaro (1869–1889), Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, proposed the construction of a new academic college: So that the [Franciscan] Order will, in due course, be lit by very learned men and well versed in individual academic subjects and each province will be glorious and benefit from these professors and teachers.

[3]Construction of the university began in 1884 and the institution was opened 6 years later in 1890 by Luigi Canali (1889–1897).

To obtain legal recognition from the Italian state, the university was founded as a Missionary College attached to the Roman Curia and the Propaganda Fide.

The process was delayed first by World War I and then by the publication, by Pope Pius XI, of the Deus Scientiarum Dominus, which dictated new rules for academic study.

[5] On 14 June 1938, the institution was granted the right to use the title Pontifical by Pope Pius XI.