Naylor, the college's first lay Principal. Early 21st century In 2006, St Mary's became a University College and was granted the power to award its own degrees by the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. In January 2014, St Mary's was granted university status, becoming 'St Mary's University, Twickenham'. The university maintains study-partnerships with other universities across the globe, including the University of San Francisco, the University of St Thomas (Houston), St Mary's University, Halifax, Australian Catholic University and the Catholic University of America. In 2020, St Mary's entered into historic partnership with The University of Notre Dame Australia. On 17 September 2010, Pope Benedict XVI visited St Mary's on the second day of his four-day UK state visit, the first Papal visit to the country since Pope John Paul II visited in 1982. On 1 October 2010, Philip Esler became the university's second lay Principal. During 2010 and 2011, existing sports facilities were refurbished and an additional complex was added. The resulting £8.5 million sports centre was opened on 27 October by Lord Sebastian Coe, with Tim Brabants, David Weir, Rebecca Romero and Dave Bedford in attendance; the latter two, both St Mary's alumni, were inducted into the St Mary's Hall of Fame for Sports. London 2012 and beyond Eighteen St Mary's athletes comprising current and former students and members of the University Endurance Performance and Coaching Centre (EPACC) participated in 2012 Summer Olympics in athletics (Andrew Osagie and Mo Farah), rowing (Moe Sbihi) and hockey. David Weir won quadruple gold in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m and Marathon at the 2012 Summer Paralympics. St Mary's was selected as a pre-Games training camp for the 2012 Summer Olympics by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Ireland. Endurance squads from the Chinese and Japanese Olympic teams also elected to be based at St Mary's pre-Games training camp. Athletes and officials from those four countries were ultimately joined by others from another six countries: the US, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, Denmark and Mozambique. The University College was granted full university title by the Privy Council on 23 January 2014, becoming St Mary's University. In July 2019 the ecclesiastical Faculties of Philosophy and Theology were transferred to St Mary's University and renamed "Mater Ecclesiae College" after their previous host institution, Heythrop College, University of London closed down. Rio 2016 St Mary's saw 22 athletes attend both