Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador

The university opened in the fall of 1946, with Carlos María de la Torre, archbishop of Quito, officiating. Aurelio Espinosa Pólit of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) was the first rector. That fall there were 54 students and jurisprudence was the single faculty. In 2005 in Ambato a bust was unveiled to Zonia Palán Tamayo who had taught economics at the university and was notable in championing women's and union rights. Pope Francis visited the campus of PUCE on his trip to South America in July 2015.

The principal campus of the university is in Quito. Other campuses are in Ambato (established in 1982), Esmeraldas (1981), Ibarra (1976), Santo Domingo de los Colorados (1996), and a regional campus in the province of Manabí (1993). The campus in Cuenca later became the Universidad del Azuay. All branches follow the National System PUCE.

The P.U.C.E. Cultural Center on the campus in Quito and holds numerous exhibits year round with artists from all over the world.

Pope Francis was in Quito for a few days in July 2015. During his visit in Quito, Pope Francis was the campus of P.U.C.E on the afternoon of the 7th of July 2015 and spoke to the university. and was able to speak to many thousands on different areas. The visit also went with a tour of the Historic Centre of Quito.

There are four careers that make up the FCLL: Communication, Literature, Linguistics, and Applied Languages. In addition, the Languages Center welcomes regular students of the university and is open to the community.

Ana Estrella Santos