Pontifical Latin American College

Pius IX, who had been Apostolic Delegate in Chile, granted letters of approbation, and urged the bishops to send students and to help the foundation by procuring funds for the maintenance of the seminary.

In December 1859, Pius IX helped to purchase a larger house, belonging to the Dominican Order, near Santa Maria sopra Minerva.

Towards the beginning of 1860, he sent this prelate back to South America as ablegate of the Holy See, to urge the bishops again to co-operate on a larger scale in procuring the necessary means for the support of the college.

In 1871, the Italian government having expelled the Jesuits from the small part of the novitiate they occupied, acceded to the request of the Brazilian Emperor and permitted the South American College to remain where it was until a suitable house should be found.

The foundation stone was blessed on 29 June 1884, by the protector, Cardinal Sacconi, in presence of a large assemblage, among whom was Peter Beckx, General of the Society of Jesus, then living in the American College.

In the same chapel on 26 March 1905, the Cardinal Protector, Joseph C. Vives y Tuto, solemnly published the Apostolic Constitution Sedis Apostolicae providam, by which the pope granted the title of "Pontifical" to the college and committed its direction in perpetuum to the Society of Jesus.