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Habemus Papam!
Like many others, the College rejoices at the election of our new Pope, Francis, offers him heartfelt congratulations, and assures him of our fervent prayers. Many of us were fortunate enough to be in St Peter's Square when the election was announced, and to see him come out on that famous balcony. Then on the Friday he met the all the cardinals, including those who were 80 or over and so had not taken part in the election. Among them was our own Cardinal Cormac, who knows Pope Francis well, having been created cardinal at the same consistory, and because of that having sat next to him at various meetings.
Welcome to the website of the Venerable English College, a seminary in Rome for the formation of priests for the dioceses of England and Wales.
The seminary was founded in 1579, and there has been an English presence on the site in Via di Monserrato since the establishment of the Hospice of St Thomas in 1362, making us the oldest English institution outside England.
These two dimensions - hospitality and the formation of priests - still lie at the heart of the life of the College. At present we have 39 seminarians, 35 from England and Wales and four from Scandinavian countries, as well as 7 priests doing postgraduate studies, and a staff of five. Groups of all sorts visit the College during the year, either for our regular Masses and other events, or by pre-arranged visit.
Please do have a look around the site - there is plenty to see and read!