The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile was founded on June 21, 1888 by Monsignor Mariano Casanova, Archbishop of Santiago. His goal was to create an institution capable of blending academic excellence and training based on the Christian doctrine. The local and universal historical context that the Church faced when the University was founded inspired the institution to train professionals who led Christian lives and who could renew energies for the coming generations. The first Rector was Monsignor Joaquín Larraín Gandarillas and the first two faculties were Law, Physical Sciences and Math. In 1889, the Faculty of Legal Sciences was created, along with the San Juan Evangelista Academy and two professional schools: the San Rafael Commercial and Literary Academy and the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Industrial School. In 1984 the University offered the first architecture course, which served as a starting point for that discipline in Chile. The first graduates of the Pontificia Universidad Católica completed majors in civil engineering, arquitecture, and law. The relationship between the University and the Vatican began when the University was founded. The founding decree of the University received the general approval and blessing of Pope Leo XIII on July 28, 1889.