Catholic University of Leuven? Dutch: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven[ KUL] for short] English: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven is the largest university in Belgium, enjoying the reputation of Belgian national university, the top institution of higher learning in Europe and one of the world-famous universities. Founded by Pope Pope Martin V in 1425, it is the oldest Catholic university in the world and the oldest university in the "low countries" of Western Europe (including the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg and other countries).