The former name of HPR (MPR) was Hungarian Catholic Youth Alliance (KDSZ). They helped in establishment of the International Movement of Catholic Students (MIEC) in Fribourg in 1921. MIEC coordinates the Catholic students' movements in the vast majority of countries in the world.
The main goal of the founders was to enhance international peace by resolving hatred originating before and after WWI among nations.
The adopted name "Pax Romana" reminds us of the warless, peaceful world around the birth-time of Christ, as well as of the important peace mission led by the present Rome.
In 1947 the organization for intellectuals of Pax Romana was formed, known as the International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs (French name: Mouvement International des Intellectuels Catholiques). The non-governmental ICMICA is represented by its own delegation at international congresses as well.
KDSZ was banned by the communist party-state in 1947. Those Hungarian Catholic students who escaped to Western European countries, established the successor in title of the Hungarian Catholic Youth Alliance; headquartered first in Graz, and later in Munich. This HCYA (KDSZ) was officially recognized by the international students' association of Pax Romana (MIEC) in 1950.
Since 1956 KDSZ had been operating under different names: from 1964 to 1987 as Hungarian Catholic University Movement, whereas from 1987 as Hungarian Catholic Intellectuals' Movement - Pax Romana (KMÉM-Pax Romana). After the democratic transformation had started, the Hungarian organization of Pax Romana was re-established on the initiative of KMÉM. At the 33rd Hungarian Pax Romana Congress in Győr-Pannonhalma in 1991, 34 Hungarian organizations, movements and groups announced their intention to join Pax Romana.
Hungarian Pax Romana Forum (MPRF) was established by 22 associations in Budapest
on November 9, 1991. The first Chairman was Mr. Sándor Keresztes who was succeeded
by Mr. Özséb Horányi. MPRF changed its name to Hungarian Pax Romana (MPR) in
2000. The two sister organizations of Pax Romana have operated independently
since then.