The University Rector is the highest academic authority and is appointed by the Board of Directors from among the full professors who have at least five years of seniority in Università Cattolica, from a list of five names decided by the Academic Senate on the basis of the designations expressed by the Faculty Councils.

The Rector legally represents the University, convenes and chairs the Board of Directors, the Steering Committee, the Academic Senate and the University Council. They promote the convergence of the work of all members of the university community to achieve the goals of Università Cattolica. They issue by their own decrees the Statute and the amendments to the same deliberated by the aforementioned bodies. They may appoint one or more Pro-Rectors to whom they may delegate the exercise of specific functions. They remain in office for four years and can be reconfirmed for no more than two consecutive terms.

Professor Beccalli is the ninth Rector of the University. Her office was previously held by the founder Father Agostino Gemelli (1921-1959), Francesco Vito (1959-1965), Ezio Franceschini (1965-1968), Giuseppe Lazzati (1968-1983), Adriano Bausola (1983-1998), Sergio Zaninelli (1998-2002), Lorenzo Ornaghi (2002 -2012), Franco Anelli (2013-2024).